New Delhi: Pakistan had begged for a ceasefire after India successfully executed ‘Operation Sindoor’. India halted its continued fighting, but only because it was set as a condition to gain further ground in peace talks. The operation, which destroyed nine terrorist apparatuses on the border, left Pakistan no choice but to step back. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has incited controversy with statements that he negotiated the ceasefire, a claim vehemently refuted by Indian officials.
In comments Monday, Trump claimed he had achieved “an immediate ceasefire” between India and Pakistan — “a war that could have very easily and would have, I say, would have turned into a nuclear confrontation.” It is going to be an authentic ceasefire in nations with large arsenals of nuclear arms, he stated, attributing credit to Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. And he carried on, linking the ceasefire to future trade deals. He said he had told the two countries, ‘If you stop, we will do a lot of business together.’ If you don’t, we won’t.” Trump even claimed that because of his novel use of trade as leverage, that was why they reached a deal: “All of a sudden, they said, ’We ought to stop,’ and they did.”
On the other hand, Indian government sources viewed Trump’s version as exaggerated. Top officials told ABP News that nuclear weapons were not in India’s playbook. Another said, “We were here to simply do what we went for – destroy not more than nine targets to prevent terrorism.” They also emphasised that the restoration of the ceasefire was a result of talks between the Indian and Pakistani DGMOs, and Pakistan had only agreed to cease its aggression if India did so in return. Trump stated that the U.S. had nothing to do with this.
Trump also characterised the leaders of both countries as “loyal and strong”, able to comprehend the significance of the matter with ‘strength, smarts, and patience’. His administration, he said, not only brought peace but also opened the door to expanding trade between the two countries. Referring to the ceasefire as a launch pad for economic deals, he said, “We are planning to use Pakistan; we are planning to do a lot of business with Pakistan, and we are intending to use India a lot.”
The negotiated ceasefire represents a victory for India, as it was achieved without mediation. The request for peace by Pakistan after the punishing blows of ‘Operation Sindoor’, an Indian military term used in describing this short and sharp conflict, demonstrated New Delhi’s military superiority. Trump may have feigned admirable compliments to avoid a sceptical look, but India has other priorities – waging a conflict against terror, not relying on angelic appearances to gain points. For the time being, the episode spotlights a contrast between India’s quiet resolve and the showmanship of the U.S. president.