Following recent claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding his role in mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, India has firmly pushed back against these assertions. New Delhi has clarified that the United States was neither involved in nor informed about the ceasefire agreement, emphasizing its long-standing policy of addressing issues with Pakistan bilaterally, without third-party intervention.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reiterated India's consistent position that any matters pertaining to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are to be resolved solely through discussions between India and Pakistan. This stance directly contradicts Trump's repeated offers to mediate on the Kashmir dispute, which he characterized as a "1,000-year fight." India has maintained that the only outstanding issue for discussion is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan.
India has also refuted Trump's claim that he used the leverage of trade to prevent a potential "nuclear war" between the two nations. According to the MEA, trade-related issues were not discussed during conversations between Indian and U.S. leaders concerning the evolving military situation following Operation Sindoor. This clarification came in response to Trump's statement that he had threatened to halt trade with India and Pakistan to secure their agreement to a ceasefire.
The ceasefire agreement, reached on May 10, 2025, was established through direct military-to-military channels between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan. The MEA has provided a timeline detailing how the talks occurred directly between the DGMOs via a hotline, following a proposal from the Pakistani DGMO to cease hostilities three days after Operation Sindoor began. India accepted this request, leading to the understanding on the cessation of military action.
Furthermore, India has addressed concerns about the potential for nuclear escalation, asserting that its military actions were entirely within the conventional domain. This statement serves as a warning to other countries not to be swayed by Pakistan's "nuclear bluff." The government has also noted that while there were reports of Pakistan's National Command Authority meeting on May 10, Islamabad later denied any "nuclear angle" to the situation.
Amidst these developments, questions have arisen regarding potential business interests influencing Trump's stance on Pakistan. Reports indicate that a company linked to Donald Trump's family signed a cryptocurrency deal with Pakistan shortly after the Pahalgam terror attack. Additionally, a close associate of Donald Trump Jr. reportedly had meetings with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in 2025, subsequently advocating for Trump to pursue rare earth and real estate deals with Pakistan. These connections have fueled speculation about whether business ties have led Trump to adopt a more lenient approach towards Pakistan.
India's firm rebuttal of Trump's claims underscores its commitment to resolving bilateral issues with Pakistan through direct dialogue and without external mediation. The focus remains on addressing cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and ensuring the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to India. New Delhi's diplomatic efforts will likely continue to reinforce these positions and counter any narratives that deviate from these core principles.
