Trump Claims Credit for India-Pakistan Ceasefire, Indian Government Denies U.S. Role
New Delhi, May 21, 2025 — Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday reignited controversy by claiming he played a pivotal role in settling the recent flare-up of hostilities between India and Pakistan, a statement that Indian officials swiftly contradicted.
Speaking during a tense bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump said, “If you take a look at what we did with Pakistan and India…we settled that whole…and I think I settled it through trade,” implying that U.S.-India trade negotiations were linked to the cessation of violence following the April 22 civilian killings in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Trump also highlighted an ongoing “big deal” with India, referring to discussions between Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick aimed at advancing the first phase of a long-awaited trade agreement.
However, Indian officials have firmly rejected any U.S. mediation in the conflict. In a briefing earlier this week to a Parliamentary panel, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated, “Washington was neither involved nor informed” about the ceasefire, emphasizing that any exchanges with the U.S. were part of routine diplomatic dialogue.
Trump, known for his flamboyant claims, appeared to acknowledge potential backlash to his statement, adding with a smile, “I hate to say we got it settled, and then two days later, something happens, and they say it’s Trump’s fault.”
Despite the dispute over his role, Trump praised both Pakistani leadership and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling them “great” and noting that both he and President Ramaphosa consider Modi a “mutual friend.”
The former president also mentioned efforts to mediate the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, though offered no details.
With India continuing to assert its autonomy in handling regional conflicts, Trump’s comments are likely to be viewed as political posturing ahead of renewed trade engagements—and potentially, the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.