US President Donald Trump recently asserted that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, claiming his actions potentially averted nuclear disaster. His statements may embarrass the Modi government, which states the ceasefire was requested by Pakistan. As India holds its position, questions arise over the accuracy of Trump’s claims, complicating relations and policy narratives.
New Delhi has been quiet after US President Donald Trump once again reiterated his controversial claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. During a recent statement, Trump insisted that the United States played a pivotal role in preventing a potential conflict that could have escalated to nuclear warfare.
Trump expressed gratitude towards the leaders of both nations while acknowledging that the US was crucial in halting tensions. He said, “We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting. I believe that could have turned out into a nuclear disaster, and I want to thank the leaders of India and Pakistan, and I want to thank my people.” He also noted, “We can’t trade with people that are shooting at each other and potentially using nuclear weapons.”
This assertion could be seen as a setback for the Modi administration, particularly as it has dispatched multiple delegations to showcase its strategy of zero tolerance for terrorism. Delving into the backstory behind the recent ceasefire, New Delhi has maintained that Pakistan’s Director-General of Military Operations initiated the ceasefire request following an Indian air force operation against crucial military targets in Pakistan.
Officials from India, including Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, have consistently upheld this narrative, yet they have remained mute regarding Trump’s assertion about the US’s role in the ceasefire. This silence raises questions about why Trump announced the ceasefire without prior confirmation from officials in either country.
Trump has framed himself as a key figure in curbing potential nuclear threats between India and Pakistan. He has portrayed the two nations’ agreement as a response to appealing trade incentives from the US, thereby characterizing the ceasefire as a conditional deal linked to trade benefits.
This notion not only contrasts with Modi’s assertion of resisting nuclear coercion but also complicates the narrative for the Indian government, further intensified by a recent filing from the Trump administration in a New York federal court. Commerce Secretary Howard W. Lutnick stated that Trump capitalized on “trade access” to avert a significant war in the region. This only adds to the pressure on the Modi administration and its responses to Trump’s bold claims.
In summary, Trump’s repetitive claims about controlling the ceasefire between India and Pakistan are causing unease in New Delhi. While Indian officials maintain that Pakistan initiated the ceasefire, Trump’s narrative of mediating the situation has left unanswered questions. The implications of these claims resonate deeply with India’s foreign policy goals and its approach to regional stability amid trade considerations.
Original Source: m.thewire.in
