External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has firmly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of playing a role in mediating the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, reaffirming that the agreement was reached independently by the two nations.
Speaking to the media after the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Washington D.C., Jaishankar said, “The India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement was the result of discussions held at the DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) level between the two countries. The records are very clear on this.” His remarks were seen as a direct rebuttal to Trump’s repeated assertions that he had a hand in defusing the tension.
In late April, tensions escalated dramatically after 26 Indian tourists were killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. India responded with a military offensive dubbed 'Operation Sindoor', targeting terror camps across the border in Pakistan. After three days of heightened conflict, both nations mutually agreed to a ceasefire, with formal communication taking place between their DGMOs.
Trump, however, surprised the global community by tweeting about the ceasefire announcement before any official confirmation from either side, hinting at U.S. involvement. While both New Delhi and Islamabad had previously denied any external mediation, Trump has repeatedly tried to claim credit for the ceasefire.
Reiterating India’s stance, Jaishankar said, “There was no third-party involvement. The ceasefire decision was entirely bilateral and based on direct communication between the Indian and Pakistani military leadership.”
This isn’t the first time Jaishankar has dismissed Trump’s mediation claims. In the past as well, India has maintained a consistent policy of rejecting any external interference in its bilateral issues with Pakistan.
The clarification comes amid heightened diplomatic sensitivity and underscores India’s firm position on sovereignty and independent decision-making in matters of national security.