Once again: Trump claims credit for India-Pakistan ceasefire through trade talks | WATCH

Washington: US President Donald Trump has once again claimed personal credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, stating that trade negotiations helped de-escalate rising tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. However, the Indian government swiftly refuted the assertion, reiterating its long-standing position that such matters are to be resolved bilaterally without third-party involvement.

Speaking during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House on Wednesday, Trump pointed to his relationships with the leaders of both countries and suggested that trade deals played a key role in the cessation of hostilities.

“If you take a look at what we just did with Pakistan and India, we settled that whole thing, and I think I settled it through trade,” Trump said. “We’re doing a big deal with India. We’re doing a big deal with Pakistan… the shooting was getting worse and worse, deeper and deeper into the country. We spoke to them… we got it settled.”

He added, “Pakistan has some excellent people and some really good leaders, and India is my friend… Modi, he’s a great guy.”

The cessation of hostilities followed India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April, which killed 26 civilians. The operation targeted nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), triggering a sharp escalation in cross-border violence, including drone incursions and artillery exchanges along the Line of Control (LoC).

Before India made any formal announcement, Trump declared via his social media platform, Truth Social, that a ceasefire had been reached:

"After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence."

However, India rejected Trump's claims of American mediation. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed India's policy that all matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir are to be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan.

“As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed,” said an MEA spokesperson.

The MEA also clarified that trade was not discussed in any recent talks between Indian and U.S. officials related to the military developments.

Operation Sindoor

“From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and U.S. leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions,” the statement read.

The Indian government reiterated that the “outstanding issue” remains Pakistan’s vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory, a long-standing position that has seen consistent reiteration in international forums.