Trump‘s Claims of Mediation in India-Pakistan Ceasefire Contradicted by Official Accounts
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted credit for a recent cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, claiming his intervention – specifically, the threat of trade repercussions – averted a potential nuclear conflict. However, official statements from both India and Pakistan, along with subsequent clarifications, directly contradict Trump’s narrative.
The situation unfolded on May 10th when Trump announced on Truth Social a ”Full and immediate ceasefire” mediated by the United States. He congratulated both countries on demonstrating ”Common sense and Great Intelligence.” This proclamation preceded any official confirmation from India or Pakistan.
India swiftly clarified that the initiative for a ceasefire originated with Pakistan. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan contacted the DGMO of India at 3:35 pm, requesting a halt to all firing and military action across land, air, and sea, effective 5 pm that day. Misri emphasized that the agreement was reached directly between the two countries, with no third-party mediation.External Affairs Minister S jaishankar further stated the two nations had “worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action.”
india has consistently maintained its position that any dialog with Pakistan will be limited to the issue of terrorism and focus on the resolution of the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) dispute. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated this stance in a national address on May 11th,reaffirming India’s long-standing policy.
Trump’s claims of leveraging trade to achieve peace were also disputed. On May 31st, he told reporters he was “most proud” of stopping a “potentially a nuclear war through trade as opposed through bullets.” However, official accounts indicate the ceasefire was a result of direct communication and understanding between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan.
This isn’t the first instance of Trump making unsubstantiated claims regarding India-Pakistan relations.During his previous term, he asserted that India had requested his mediation on the Kashmir issue, a claim vehemently denied by India. Prime Minister Modi directly addressed this during a meeting with Trump at the G7 Summit in Biarritz, France, in August 2019.
The recent period of heightened tension stemmed from a Pakistan-backed terrorist attack in Pahalgam,Jammu and Kashmir,which resulted in 26 fatalities. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps within Pakistan and PoK, reportedly eliminating over 100 terrorists. Pakistan retaliated with strikes on Indian border cities, prompting a strong response from India. While an understanding to halt firing was reached after four days of exchanges, India clarified it was not a formal ceasefire.
India has historically adhered to a bilateral approach to resolving disputes with Pakistan, as established by the 1971 Simla Agreement. The available evidence strongly suggests that the recent cessation of hostilities was a direct result of communication between India and Pakistan, and not due to any mediation or intervention by the United States, despite Trump’s repeated assertions.