Facing increasing scrutiny, former US President Donald Trump has softened his previous assertion that the United States played a central role in mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. While addressing American troops at the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Trump said, “I don’t want to say I did, but I sure as hell helped settle the problem,” suggesting a more indirect contribution to easing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Trump alluded to the possibility that the rising conflict could have escalated into a missile confrontation but said that things had “settled.” He added that both nations were ultimately encouraged to shift focus toward economic cooperation. “Pakistan was very happy with that, and India was very happy with that,” he claimed, portraying a sense of diplomatic progress.
Reflecting on the historical animosity between India and Pakistan, Trump remarked, “They have been fighting for about a thousand years in all fairness. So I said, you know, I could settle that up… let me settle it up, and let’s get them all together.” Still, he admitted the difficulty of intervening in such a deep-rooted conflict, adding, “I’m not sure about settling. That’s a tough one.”
His remarks come in stark contrast to an earlier, more definitive statement he made on his social media platform, Truth Social. There, Trump had claimed that the US had successfully mediated a “full and immediate ceasefire” following “a long night of talks” between the warring nations. This came in the wake of escalating military hostilities that followed the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent military response, dubbed “Operation Sindoor.”
India Firmly Rejects Mediation Narrative
India, however, has categorically rejected any claims of external mediation, including those by Trump. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a clear statement refuting US involvement, explaining that the ceasefire was the result of direct military-to-military communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.
According to the MEA, the initiative for de-escalation came from Islamabad, which sought a ceasefire following a series of retaliatory Indian strikes on Pakistani military and airbase installations. These strikes were launched under Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians.
India also countered Trump’s subsequent remarks made during the Saudi Arabia–U.S. Investment Forum on May 13, where he touted the ceasefire as a success facilitated by trade diplomacy. Trump had suggested that commercial engagement could foster peace, even saying, “Maybe we can even get them together where they go out and have a nice dinner together.”
Later that day, India once again dismissed the claim, with the MEA asserting that “no discussions on trade with the U.S. took place during Operation Sindoor.” The ministry reiterated that the ceasefire was a result of military-level talks alone, with no foreign mediation involved.
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Modi Reiterates India’s Stance on Bilateral Talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a national address on May 12, reaffirmed India’s traditional stance on third-party mediation. Without naming Trump or the US, Modi emphasized that any dialogue with Pakistan would focus solely on issues related to terrorism and the return of territory illegally occupied by Pakistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Modi’s statements aligned with India’s consistent position that all issues with Pakistan are bilateral in nature and must be resolved directly—without the involvement of external parties.
Diplomatic Sensitivities Remain High
The recent developments highlight the high sensitivity surrounding foreign involvement in South Asian affairs. While Trump may have sought to cast himself as a behind-the-scenes peacemaker, India’s firm rejection of such narratives underscores its commitment to bilateral mechanisms in handling relations with Pakistan.
As tensions simmer, the path to lasting peace and stability appears to lie firmly in the hands of New Delhi and Islamabad—regardless of how external actors attempt to position themselves.
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