India Criticizes US for Taking Credit for Ceasefire in Border Tensions
New Delhi: The Congress party has raised concerns about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s lack of response to repeated claims by US President Donald Trump regarding his role in mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. This issue has drawn attention as Trump has made similar statements multiple times, prompting questions about India’s position on the matter.
Representative Pawan Khera of the Congress party highlighted the recurring nature of Trump’s claims, noting that this is the eighth time the US president has made such a statement. ‘This is the 8th time President Trump has made this claim that he got Operation Sindoor stopped. He claims to have used trade to get India to end Operation Sindoor. Prime Minister Modi has not rejected this claim even once. What does this silence mean?’ Khera wrote on X.
During his meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump reiterated his belief in his role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan through trade discussions. He emphasized his relationship with PM Modi, stating, ‘We’re doing a big deal with India. We’re doing a big deal with Pakistan… You know 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 country. We spoke to them and…we got it settled, and then two days later something happened, and they said it was Trump’s fault, but Pakistan has some excellent people and some really good leaders and India is my friend… Modi, he’s a great guy.’
India has not accepted Trump’s statements, maintaining its stance that matters related to Jammu and Kashmir should be addressed solely between India and Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that trade discussions were not part of any conversations between Indian and US officials during ‘Operation Sindoor’ and its conclusion.
‘As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian Territory by Pakistan,’ the MEA stated.
The MEA added that from the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions.
India’s position on the matter remains firm, with the country emphasizing that the resolution of border tensions is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. The MEA reiterated that trade discussions were not part of the process that led to the ceasefire, and that the role of the US in the matter is not recognized by the Indian government.