Aboard Air Force One, US President Donald Trump told Fox News anchor Sean Hannity that his administration played a central role in persuading India and Pakistan to de-escalate recent military tensions.
Speaking during the interview, Trump claimed he convinced both sides to pursue peace and focus on trade instead of conflict.
“I think we convinced them India and Pakistan to go for peace and look at trade deals. If we can make trade deals, we like that much better than nuclear weapons,” Trump said, stressing his preference for diplomacy through economic engagement.
He framed this shift as a significant success of American foreign policy.
Trump underlined the gravity of the situation, remarking, “I don’t think there has been a period like this. There was potential for nuclear war. But both countries have strong leaders—people I know very well—and it was a very important process we got involved in.”
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He praised the leadership in both nations and credited his administration, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for helping broker an immediate cessation of hostilities.
“We stopped a nuclear conflict. Millions could have died,” he stated. “We said, ‘Let’s stop this. If you stop, we’ll trade. If you don’t, we won’t.’”
However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pushed back on Trump’s remarks.
On Tuesday evening, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that no trade-related talks occurred between New Delhi and Washington during the period of heightened military activity.
“From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7 until the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10 May, Indian and US leaders discussed the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions,” Jaiswal stated during a media briefing.
India launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. Operation Sindoor, as the campaign was named, led to the elimination of over 100 terrorists.
Following the strikes, Pakistan responded with military action, including drone incursions and missile launches.
However, the Indian Armed Forces effectively repelled these threats, neutralising airborne attacks and targeting Pakistani airbases in retaliation.
Despite Trump’s claims of mediation, both India and Pakistan have confirmed that the ceasefire agreement was achieved bilaterally.
Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) reportedly contacted his Indian counterpart to initiate the ceasefire agreement.
Officials on both sides have since affirmed their intention to uphold the understanding and avoid further escalation.
While the United States, under President Trump, has highlighted its role in facilitating peace, the Indian government has provided a more restrained account affirming that military coordination, not trade, dominated discussions.
As tensions ease, both nations appear committed to maintaining peace, albeit on their own terms.
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