Trump Claims Role in India-Pakistan Tensions Amid Denials from India

President Trump claimed he resolved India-Pakistan tensions through trade during a meeting with President Ramaphosa, despite India’s government denying U.S. involvement. His comments reflected a broader narrative about U.S. diplomacy in current global conflicts.

On May 21, 2025, President Donald Trump once again claimed that he played a pivotal role in resolving the recent tensions between India and Pakistan, which escalated following civilian deaths in Pahalgam on April 22. During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Oval Office, he suggested that trade efforts contributed to the easing of hostilities, saying, “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.”

This remark came amidst discussions on a significant trade deal between the United States and India. In a related context, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was in talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to expedite the first phase of the ongoing trade agreement, demonstrating active diplomatic endeavors.

However, India’s government has consistently refuted any claims of U.S. involvement in the conflict’s resolution. Earlier this week, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified to a Parliamentary panel that Washington was “neither involved nor informed” about the cessation of hostilities, emphasizing that communication with the U.S. had been standard and routine.

In a rather unconventional explanation, Mr. Trump noted, “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.” Yet he appeared to temper his claims moments later, expressing concerns that any negative developments could be attributed to him, stating, “I hate to say we got it settled, and then two days later, something happens, and they say it’s Trump’s fault.”

Moreover, he referred to the leaders of both countries with admiration, calling the “leader of Pakistan” great and highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a great guy,” with Mr. Ramaphosa agreeing that Modi was indeed a mutual friend. Mr. Trump concluded his statements by referencing his efforts to mediate the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, indicating his interest in broader international diplomacy.

In summary, President Trump’s assertions regarding the resolution of India-Pakistan tensions through trade have been met with skepticism from the Indian government, which has denied U.S. involvement. His remarks during a meeting with President Ramaphosa reveal a pattern of diplomatic statements that seek to establish the U.S. as a pivotal player in international affairs while juxtaposed with a clear reluctance to take sole responsibility for ongoing conflicts.

Original Source: www.thehindu.com