President Trump claims he mediated peace between India and Pakistan, attributing it to trade, during a meeting with South African President Ramaphosa. Indian officials deny U.S. involvement, stating they weren’t informed about a ceasefire. Trump humorously downplays his claims later on and praises leaders from both nations.
On May 21, 2025, President Donald Trump claimed he played a crucial role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan following recent violence. This occurred during a tense meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office. Trump vaguely attributed the resolution to trade agreements, stating, “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.” He mentioned an upcoming significant deal with India.
The Indian government has firmly denied any U.S. involvement in reducing hostilities. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri asserted earlier in the week that the United States had no knowledge of, nor was it involved in, the ceasefire discussions. Misri addressed Trump’s announcement, explaining that any dialogue with the U.S. had been standard protocol.
Despite his earlier remarks on U.S. mediation, Trump continued to share his thoughts, indicating the situation was severe before any resolution. He stated, “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.”
Later, Trump waved off his own assertion, almost humorously downplaying his role. “I hate to say we got it settled, and then two days later, something happens, and they say it’s Trump’s fault,” he remarked. His comments show a mix of bravado and acknowledgment of unpredictability in international relations.
Trump also praised both Pakistan’s leadership and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling Modi a “great guy.” This continued the theme of his diplomatic outreach, where he emphasized mutual friendships. Following this discussion, the President shifted the conversation towards ongoing efforts to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine.
In summary, President Trump’s claims about successfully brokering peace between India and Pakistan amid recent violence seems to lack official backing from the Indian government. While he attributes the resolution to trade agreements, officials in India confirm that the U.S. was neither involved nor informed. The situation remains delicate, particularly as Trump downplays his role, demonstrating the complexities of international diplomacy.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
