In a recurring theme, US President Donald Trump has once again claimed his administration played a pivotal role in averting a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan, attributing this achievement to his strategic use of trade diplomacy. Speaking at the Oval Office on Friday, May 30, 2025, alongside Elon Musk, who stepped down from his government role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Trump asserted that his intervention had prevented a "nuclear disaster."
"We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting," Trump stated, emphasizing the potential catastrophic consequences had the conflict escalated. He expressed gratitude to the leaders of both India and Pakistan, acknowledging their understanding and agreement, which he believes led to the cessation of hostilities.
Trump elaborated on the connection between trade and conflict resolution, stating, "We talk trade, and we say we can't trade with people who are shooting at each other and potentially using nuclear weapons." This statement underscores his administration's stance of linking trade relations to peaceful conduct, suggesting that the threat of trade restrictions served as leverage in de-escalating the tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
This isn't the first time Trump has made such claims. Since announcing the "ceasefire" on May 10, 2025, he has repeatedly stated that he "mediated" the ceasefire, using the threat of trade cuts to force an end to the hostilities. The Trump administration even submitted a written filing to a New York federal court, arguing that the President used trade access as an incentive to "avert a full-scale war" between India and Pakistan. However, the court rejected this argument and blocked Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs.
However, India has consistently refuted these claims of US mediation or brokering of the ceasefire. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during a press briefing on Thursday, May 29, 2025, reiterated that the cessation of firing was a result of direct contact between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.
Jaiswal clarified that "From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation," but "the issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions." This statement directly contradicts the Trump administration's narrative, asserting that trade was not a factor in the de-escalation process.
In an interview, India's external affairs minister stated that the cessation of firing was agreed upon between military commanders through direct contact. He emphasized that India had effectively hit and incapacitated Pakistan's main airbases and air defense system the morning before the agreement. The minister then credited the Indian military action for compelling Pakistan to agree to stop the conflict.
Despite India's repeated denials, the Trump administration continues to emphasize its role in preventing a potential nuclear disaster through trade diplomacy. This divergence in narratives highlights the complex dynamics and differing perspectives surrounding the India-Pakistan ceasefire, with the US asserting its influence while India maintains its autonomy in resolving the conflict.
