In the wake of Operation Sindoor, a military response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April, former U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed to have brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, even suggesting that he used trade as leverage. These assertions have been met with strong denials from Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The Indian government has maintained that the decision to pause military action was a result of strategic considerations and direct communication between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan.

Prime Minister Modi has firmly stated that no world leader asked India to halt Operation Sindoor. Addressing the Lok Sabha, he emphasized India's sovereignty and commitment to national security, highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor in eliminating terrorist threats. Modi recounted a phone call from U.S. Vice President JD Vance on the night of May 9, during which Vance warned of a potential major attack by Pakistan. Modi responded that any aggression from Pakistan would be met with an even stronger response from India. He also accused the Congress party of not supporting the country on Operation Sindoor.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has also refuted Trump's claims, clarifying to the Parliament that there was no linkage between trade and the events surrounding Operation Sindoor in any conversation with the U.S. He further stated that there was no phone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump between April 22 and June 17. Jaishankar emphasized that Operation Sindoor established a "new normal," conveying that cross-border terror attacks from Pakistan would face an "appropriate response".

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Lok Sabha stating that it was "absolutely wrong" to claim that India halted Operation Sindoor under any pressure. Singh clarified that India decided to pause its action against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after achieving its political and military objectives.

Trump's claims have also faced scrutiny in light of his criticism of India's tariffs. Some analysts suggest that Trump's remarks undermine his assertion that he influenced India to halt Operation Sindoor by threatening trade restrictions. This contradiction raises questions about the accuracy and motivations behind Trump's statements regarding the situation.

The Indian government has asserted that the pause in hostilities was initiated by Pakistan's DGMO following India's strikes on terror infrastructure. India has consistently maintained that its actions were in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. Operation Sindoor involved strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The situation underscores the complexities of international relations and the importance of accurate information in diplomatic discussions. While Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian leaders have firmly rejected these assertions, emphasizing India's independent decision-making and strategic goals in the region.