In the wake of a recently implemented ceasefire between India and Pakistan, former U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that his administration played a crucial role in brokering the agreement. However, India has firmly refuted these claims, asserting that the ceasefire was the result of direct military-to-military discussions between the two nations.

Trump's initial claim, made on his social media platform, Truth Social, stated that the United States had mediated a "full and immediate ceasefire" after "a long night of talks". He congratulated both countries for their "common sense and great intelligence". Later, while addressing U.S. military personnel in Qatar, Trump softened his stance, saying, "I don't wanna say I did it, but I sure as hell helped settle the problem between Pakistan and India last week". He also suggested that he had encouraged both nations to focus on trade instead of war. He remarked that the conflict had been ongoing for "about a thousand years" and that he could "settle anything".

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has consistently denied any U.S. mediation in the ceasefire. The MEA clarified that the agreement was reached through direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan. The request for this call was initiated by Pakistan. According to the MEA, Pakistan reached out to India after suffering retaliatory strikes on key military and airbase installations during "Operation Sindoor," which was launched by India in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people.

The Indian government has also refuted Trump's claim that trade was used as leverage to secure the ceasefire. The MEA stated that "the issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions" between Indian and U.S. leaders. Furthermore, India has maintained its long-standing position that any issues pertaining to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are to be addressed bilaterally between India and Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a national address, indirectly dismissed any suggestion of third-party mediation, emphasizing that dialogue with Pakistan would be limited to terrorism and the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Despite India's strong rebuttal, Trump has continued to repeat his claims, even suggesting at an investment forum in Riyadh that he told India and Pakistan to "trade goods and not nuclear missiles".

The U.S. State Department had not released any official statement corroborating or denying Trump's version of events.

The contrasting narratives from Trump and the Indian government highlight the complexities of international diplomacy and the sensitivities surrounding the India-Pakistan relationship. While Pakistan has appreciated the U.S.'s role, India remains firm on its stance of bilateral resolution without external intervention. The situation underscores the importance of accurate information and clear communication in international relations, especially in regions with long-standing tensions.