During a White House meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump once again claimed to have played a pivotal role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Trump asserted that he "settled" the conflict, attributing the resolution to trade negotiations between the United States and both nations. This claim comes after a period of heightened tensions between the two South Asian neighbors, sparked by India's Operation Sindoor, which targeted alleged terror camps in Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump stated, "If you take a look at what we just did with Pakistan and India, we settled that whole thing, and I think I settled it through trade." He highlighted ongoing trade discussions with both countries, recalling his intervention: "And I said, 'What are you guys doing?' Somebody had to be the last one to shoot. But the shooting was getting worse and worse, bigger and bigger, deeper and deeper into the countries. And we spoke to them, and I think we got it settled."

Trump lauded the leadership of both nations, saying, "Pakistan has got some excellent people and some really good, great leader. And India is my friend, Modi." Ramaphosa responded, "Modi, mutual friend," to which Trump added, "He's a great guy, and I called them both. It's something good."

This isn't the first time Trump has claimed credit for de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Following the announcement of the ceasefire, he had posted on social media, stating, "After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire."

However, the Indian government has indirectly refuted Trump's assertions of U.S. mediation. Official statements have emphasized that the ceasefire was the result of bilateral discussions between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, with no third-party involvement. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Washington was "neither involved nor informed" about the cessation of hostilities, and that conversations with the U.S. were routine. India has also historically resisted third-party mediation on issues concerning Kashmir.

Despite India's denials, the U.S. administration seems to be maintaining its stance, with Trump repeatedly claiming his intervention led to the ceasefire. Following Trump's initial remarks, the U.S. State Department, while not explicitly claiming mediation, expressed happiness with the ceasefire and encouraged direct talks between India and Pakistan.

The recent escalation between India and Pakistan followed the April 22 Pahalgam attack and India's subsequent Operation Sindoor. Pakistan retaliated with strikes on Indian military installations in early May, leading to a series of counter-attacks. The confrontation concluded on May 10, the same day Trump announced the ceasefire, claiming it followed a "long night" of talks mediated by the United States.