Trump Claims Role in Ending India-Pakistan Tensions Through Trade
U.S. President Donald Trump claims he resolved India-Pakistan hostilities through trade, made during a meeting with South Africa’s President Ramaphosa. Indian officials deny U.S. involvement, emphasizing routine discussions. Trump also described both Modi and the Pakistani leader positively, while subtly walking back his claims of resolution.
On May 21, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he had played a role in resolving hostilities between India and Pakistan, particularly after a violent incident on April 22 in Pahalgam that resulted in civilian casualties. This assertion was made amid a tense bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, where trade emerged as a focal point in Trump’s remarks.
Trump stated, “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,” referring to ongoing commerce negotiations. He mentioned that a major deal was in the works with India, indicating a broader economic context. Meanwhile, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently engaged in talks to advance the initial phases of this trade agreement.
Contrarily, Indian officials have consistently rejected claims of U.S. mediation in the recent tensions. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated before a Parliamentary panel that the U.S. was “neither involved nor informed” about the de-escalation of hostilities. Misri responded to Trump’s claims with emphasis on the standard nature of U.S.-India discussions without indicating any diplomatic breakthroughs.
Trump also remarked, “Somebody had to be the last one to shoot. But the shooting was getting worse and worse…” This comment aimed to clarify the volatile situation in the region. However, he later lightheartedly questioned the reliability of his claim, reflecting, “I hate to say we got it settled, and then two days later something happens, and they say it’s Trump’s fault.”
As the conversation turned to Pakistan’s leadership and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump described both leaders positively, labeling Modi as “a great guy.” He and Ramaphosa concurred that Modi could be seen as a friend to both nations. Trump subsequently redirected the discussion to his efforts in addressing the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, another significant diplomatic issue on his agenda.
In summary, while President Trump asserts his involvement in alleviating tensions between India and Pakistan through trade discussions, Indian officials firmly deny U.S. mediation. This juxtaposition underscores the complexities in international relations and highlights the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s claims. As he continues to deal with global conflicts, the ramifications of these statements in relation to U.S. foreign policy remain to be seen.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
