Following a period of heightened tensions and cross-border exchanges, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, 2025. The announcement, however, was quickly followed by claims from former U.S. President Donald Trump that his administration had brokered the deal, even suggesting he averted a potential "nuclear conflict" between the two nations. This assertion, while characteristic of Trump's penchant for taking credit, has been met with skepticism and, in some quarters, outright denial.
The immediate backdrop to the ceasefire was the escalation of hostilities following the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-based terror groups, a charge Pakistan denied. In response, India launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, 2025, conducting missile strikes on alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan retaliated, leading to a dangerous cycle of aerial clashes and artillery duels.
As the situation spiraled, international concern grew, with fears of a full-blown war between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. It was against this backdrop that the ceasefire was announced. Trump, known for his unorthodox diplomatic style, quickly took to social media to declare that the United States had mediated the agreement after "a long night of talks." He further claimed that he had even threatened to halt trade with both countries unless they ceased hostilities.
However, the Indian government has maintained a more nuanced position. While acknowledging that U.S. officials engaged in discussions with both sides to de-escalate the situation, Indian sources have refuted the claim that Trump's administration played a direct mediatory role or that trade was a factor in the discussions. Instead, reports suggest that Pakistan's military leadership initiated contact with their Indian counterparts via the established hotline, requesting a ceasefire. This version of events paints a picture of Pakistan seeking de-escalation after facing significant losses from India's Operation Sindoor.
Several analysts believe that Trump's claims are driven by a desire to bolster his image as a dealmaker and potentially position himself for a Nobel Peace Prize, an award he has reportedly long coveted. Regardless of the motivations, the former president's pronouncements have touched a raw nerve in India, where there is a strong preference for bilateral resolution of disputes with Pakistan, without third-party intervention. This stance is rooted in India's long-standing policy of not internationalizing the Kashmir issue.
The ceasefire itself, while a welcome development, remains fragile. Initial reports of violations from both sides underscored the tenuous nature of the agreement. Moreover, several punitive measures enacted by both countries in the lead-up to the ceasefire such as suspension of key water-sharing treaty, halting most visas and stopping all trade, remain in place, indicating that relations are far from normalized.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first public remarks after the ceasefire, emphasized that India would not hesitate to use force to neutralize terrorist camps in Pakistan, framing it as the "new normal" in relations. He also stated that any dialogue with Pakistan would only be on the issue of terrorism emanating from its soil and on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This firm stance suggests that while the immediate crisis may have abated, the underlying tensions and complexities in the India-Pakistan relationship persist.
