Donald Trump has once again asserted his role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, a claim that has been met with firm denials from India. In a recent post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that he "stopped the war between India and Pakistan," reiterating a claim he has made repeatedly in recent weeks. He further lamented that despite his efforts in resolving global conflicts, including the India-Pakistan situation, he believes he "won't get a Nobel Peace Prize."
Trump's renewed assertion follows a period of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. India responded with precision strikes on terror infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, leading to a brief but intense military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
In the aftermath of the conflict, Trump claimed that the two countries had agreed to a ceasefire after talks mediated by the United States. However, India has consistently denied any foreign mediation, asserting that the de-escalation was achieved through direct military-to-military dialogue between the two countries.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Trump recently hosted Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, at the White House, a move that has been interpreted as a potential shift in US-Pakistan relations. During the meeting, Trump reportedly thanked Munir for his role in ending the war with India, while also praising Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Despite India's denial of US mediation, Pakistan has acknowledged Washington's role in facilitating the ceasefire. This divergence in perspectives has created a delicate diplomatic situation, with India wary of any external interference in its bilateral relations with Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clarified to President Trump that there was no discussion on any mediation by the US during the recent events and that India called off hostilities on a specific request by Islamabad. Modi has firmly stated that India does not and will never accept mediation.
Trump's persistent claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan, coupled with his engagement with Pakistani officials, have raised eyebrows in India. Some analysts view these developments as a potential shift in US foreign policy in the region, with the US possibly seeking to re-engage with Pakistan after years of closer ties with India.
It remains to be seen how these dynamics will play out in the long term. However, one thing is clear: the India-Pakistan relationship remains complex and sensitive, and any external attempts to influence it are likely to be met with caution and scrutiny.
