So who misled the world, including over 1.4 billion Indians, about the de-escalation of the conflict between India and Pakistan? The administration of United States President Donald Trump has gone on record -- in a Federal court submission -- to assert that the trade card was used to halt hostilities between the neighbouring nations.

An affidavit submitted in court by US Commerce Secretary Howard W Lutnik on May 23 states: '... For example, India and Pakistan -- two nuclear powers engaged in combat operations just 13 days ago -- reached a tenuous ceasefire on May 10, 2025. This ceasefire was only achieved after President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war. An adverse ruling that constrains presidential power in this case could lead India and Pakistan to question the validity of President Trump's offer, threatening the security of an entire region and the lives of millions.'

The submission came in response to hearing on a lawsuit filed by attorneys general from 12 Democrat-led states argued that Trump's invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to implement global tariffs exceeded his legal authority. A three-judge panel at the New York-based Court of International Trade, however, sided with the petitioners and ruled that his broad imposition of duties, including a 26% levy on Indian imports, was "unlawful and arbitrary." The tariffs, first announced by Donald Trump on April 2, proposed a 10% tax on most imports, with even higher duties targeting goods from China and the European Union. Trump had labeled the plan "Liberation Day" and later temporarily paused some steeper tariffs while pursuing trade agreements. The Trump administration has since appealed the ruling.

But beyond the legal fight over the validity of Trump's tariffs is the latest controversy over the India-Pakistan ceasefire.

To recall, India has firmly denied assertions from Trump and his cabinet regarding American involvement in brokering the May 10 ceasefire with Pakistan. This truce followed four days of intense cross-border military action.

While Pakistan acknowledged a role for the United States in mediating the ceasefire, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has consistently maintained that the understanding for a truce was reached solely through direct talks initiated by the Pakistani army. India has steadfastly rejected any form of international mediation in its bilateral relations with Pakistan.

Tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations escalated significantly after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. Two weeks following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, conducting precise strikes on nine alleged terror camps in Pakistan. This operation led to further military escalation between the neighboring countries before the ceasefire was established.

India responds to US court affidavit

For now, the Modi government has denied that neither trade nor tariff came up for discussion between Indian and United States.

"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 the Indian and US leaders on evolving military situation. The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions. External Affairs Minister has also made clear that the cessation of firing was decided upon through direct contacts between the DGMO of India and Pakistan," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to queries on the matter.

So then did Trump administration invite perjury by misrepresenting facts on court or is the Indian government being evasive on the exact circumstances under which the "ceasefire" was achieved?

Either way, a controversy has erupted on social media. Take a look at some posts on X: