NEW DELHI: India on Thursday once again rejected the Trump administration’s claim that US President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan by offering trade incentives.Speaking in response to a recent filing by the Trump administration in a US court, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Regarding the court filing in the United States, I hope you have seen the court order as well. Our position on this particular issue that you mentioned has been well articulated. I would refer you to our position that was made clear on 13th of May.”He clarified that the military situation was discussed between Indian and US leaders from the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7 until the ceasefire on May 10, but “the issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions.” Jaiswal added, “External affairs minister (S Jaishankar) has also made clear that the secession of firing was decided upon through direct contacts between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan.”
Ceasefire only achieved after Trump and offered both nations trading access: Trump
This follows a submission by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to the US Court of International Trade, in which he claimed, “India and Pakistan – two nuclear powers engaged in combat operations just 13 days ago – reached a tenuous ceasefire on May 10, 2025. This ceasefire was only achieved after President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war.”Lutnick argued that invalidating Trump’s use of emergency economic powers would undermine diplomacy, saying, “An adverse ruling that constrains presidential power in this case could lead India and Pakistan to question the validity of President Trump’s offer, threatening the security of an entire region, and the lives of millions.”India has consistently maintained that no third-party involvement was part of the ceasefire decision. External affairs minister S Jaishankar had earlier dismissed the notion of US mediation. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Jaishankar said, “The cessation of firing was agreed between the military commanders of both sides through direct contact.” He added, “The morning before, we effectively hit and incapacitated Pakistan’s main airbases and air defence system. So who should I thank for the cessation of hostilities? I thank the Indian military because it was the Indian military action that made Pakistan say: We are ready to stop.”Also read: Jaishankar denies US role in ceasefire with Pakistan, says ‘draw your conclusions’ on China linkPushing back against claims that the situation risked nuclear escalation, Jaishankar said, “Very, very far away. I’m frankly astonished by your question.” He explained that India’s response targeted terrorist infrastructure with “measured, carefully considered and non-escalating steps,” and that firing only stopped “at their request.”Trump has repeatedly asserted that he helped resolve the conflict and said America offered to do “a lot of trade” with both nations to end the hostilities. However, New Delhi has consistently maintained that the ceasefire came solely through direct military engagement and without any US-brokered deal.
