Washington: US President Donald Trump has once again made headlines. He has claimed that his threatening diplomacy was behind the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan. According to Trump, he warned both the countries to stop trade, after which India and Pakistan immediately agreed to a ceasefire. This claim has created a stir on the global stage, although India rejected it and said that the ceasefire happened on their own terms. Let's look at the facts and implications of this news.
Trump's claim: War stopped due to trade threat
Trump said in a press conference on Monday, "We clearly told India and Pakistan - if there is no ceasefire, we will stop trade. Both the countries immediately accepted our point." He termed it a major achievement towards preventing nuclear war. Trump further said, "The leadership of India and Pakistan is strong, but our diplomacy and trade pressure made them understand the seriousness of the situation."
He also reiterated this claim on his social media platform Truth Social, where he wrote, "India-Pakistan agreed to ceasefire with the mediation of America. We will increase trade with both the countries."
What is the background of the ceasefire?
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 7 May 2025. In response, India attacked 9 terrorist bases in Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor'. In response, Pakistan tried drone and missile attacks, after which tensions between the two countries remained at peak for four days. On May 10, both countries announced an immediate ceasefire, which was confirmed by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. However, Pakistan violated the ceasefire by sending drones to Jammu the same night, to which India responded strongly. After this, talks were held at the DGMO level of both the countries on May 11, and a permanent ceasefire was agreed upon. India's response: "Ceasefire on our terms"
India has outright rejected Trump's claim. "The ceasefire was a result of India's military might and diplomatic pressure. The US had no role in it," top government sources told ABP News. The sources also clarified that India had no intention of using nuclear weapons, as claimed by Trump. "Pakistan accepted the ceasefire on India's terms, especially after India's policy of treating terror attacks as acts of war," the foreign ministry said.
Pakistan's response and violations
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Trump for his mediation, but his army violated the ceasefire just hours after it was signed. According to a New York Times report, India's attack on Pakistan's Nur Khan airbase raised fears of weakening his nuclear command, following which Shahbaz Sharif appealed to the US for intervention.
Trump's diplomacy or propaganda?
Trump's claim reflects his old style of exaggerating his role in global issues. An NDTV report said that talks between India and Pakistan had started by 9 am, and Trump later tried to take credit for it. Experts believe that Trump wanted to capitalise on this opportunity to strengthen his diplomatic image, especially after his diplomacy failed on issues like Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas.
Economic angle: Trade pressure
Trump claimed that his plan to increase trade with India and Pakistan prompted the two countries to ceasefire. India, which is a fast-growing economy, is an important trading partner of the US. On the other hand, Pakistan's economy is in crisis. Analysts say that it is economically beneficial for the US to maintain good relations with India, and Trump's intervention may be an attempt to ensure regional stability.
Conclusion
Trump's claim on India-Pakistan ceasefire is controversial. While Trump is calling it his diplomatic victory, India clarified that it is the result of its military and diplomatic strength. Meanwhile, Pakistan's double standards remain a challenge to regional peace. This development can have deep implications on global diplomacy and geopolitics of South Asia.
No comments: