Donald Trump is once again asserting that he played a crucial role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, preventing a larger conflict. This claim, which dates back to May 2025, centers around the military clashes that occurred between the two nations following a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. India launched missile strikes into Pakistan, triggering a brief armed conflict.
Trump's version of events suggests that his intervention, particularly through the use of trade leverage and the threat of tariffs, led to a ceasefire. He has stated that he spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he conveyed the need for de-escalation, implying that his words and actions were instrumental in achieving the truce. In a recent appearance in the UK, Trump repeated the claim, stating that he had used the instrument of trade to achieve a positive outcome between India and Pakistan. He has even gone so far as to suggest that the conflict could have turned nuclear without his intervention.
However, this narrative has faced strong rebuttals from both India and, more recently, Pakistan. India has consistently maintained that the ceasefire was the result of direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has dismissed Trump's claims as "bizarre".
Adding a new dimension to the situation, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has recently contradicted Trump's version of events. Dar stated that India flatly rejected any third-party mediation during the conflict. He revealed that when the ceasefire offer was communicated to him by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he was informed that India insisted on addressing all issues with Pakistan bilaterally. Dar's statements suggest that Pakistan sought a ceasefire after India's strikes, and the US acknowledged India's unwillingness to involve external parties.
Despite these denials, Trump has persisted in his claims, even suggesting that seven fighter jets were shot down during the conflict. He has also alluded to a willingness to help find a solution to the Kashmir issue, a sensitive topic in India-Pakistan relations.
The context of these claims is also important. The clashes in May 2025 followed a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, resulting in casualties and heightened tensions. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. The situation led to a suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India, further straining relations.
Some analysts suggest that Trump's repeated assertions may be linked to a desire to project himself as a global statesman and peacemaker. With ongoing conflicts in other parts of the world, such as Ukraine, the India-Pakistan ceasefire could be seen as a way to bolster his image.
Regardless of the motivations, the conflicting narratives surrounding the events of May 2025 highlight the complexities of India-Pakistan relations and the differing perspectives on the role of external actors in managing these relationships. The situation also underscores the persistent tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with the potential for future conflict remaining a concern.
