In another bold statement that has stirred both international headlines and political debate, US President Donald Trump has claimed once more that he played a key role in brokering peace between India and Pakistan through trade negotiations. Speaking to American troops at the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Trump’s self-congratulatory remarks have raised eyebrows in both Washington and New Delhi.

I sure as hell helped settle the problem”

"And by the way, I don't want to say I did, but I sure as hell helped settle the problem between Pakistan and India last week, which was getting more and more hostile," Trump said, referring to recent tensions between the South Asian neighbors. As he recounted his involvement, Trump gave the impression that the situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control before the United States, under his guidance, stepped in.

"And all of a sudden, you'll start seeing missiles of a different type. And we got it settled. I hope, I hope I don't walk out of here and two days later find out that it's not settled, but I think it is settled," he added.

"I sure as hell helped settle problem between India-Pak last week," says Trump

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“Let’s do trade instead of war”

According to Trump, peace was achieved not through conventional diplomacy or military deterrence, but by appealing to both countries’ economic interests.

"Let's do trade instead of war. And Pakistan was very happy with that, and India was very happy with that, and I think they're on the way, you know, they have been fighting for about 1,000 years in all fairness," he said.

"So I said, you know, I could settle that up. I can settle anything. Let me set it up. Let's get them all together. How long have you been fighting? About 1,000 years. Oh, that's a lot. I'm not sure about that. I'm not sure about settling. That's a tough one. They've been fighting for a long time, but we got that settled. Nobody, boy, everybody was very happy. I'll tell you that looked like it was really going to be escalating out of control," he added.

Zero Tariffs? Trump’s Trade Deal Fantasy

Trump further claimed that as part of these peace-driven trade discussions, India has agreed to a landmark decision on tariffs.

"India is one of the highest tariff nations in the world. It is very hard to sell into India. They have offered us a deal where basically they are willing to -- literally -- they charge us no tariff. We go from the highest tariff -- you could not do business in India, we are not even in the top 30 in India because the tariff is so high -- to a point where they have actually told us that there will be no tariff. Would you say that is the difference? They were the highest, and now they are saying no tariff," he claimed.

While Trump painted a picture of economic diplomacy triumphing over military conflict, the reality, according to Indian authorities, is quite different.

Opposition in India Demands Answers

Back home, Trump’s remarks did not go unnoticed. The Indian National Congress quickly seized the moment to question the Modi government’s silence.

"The Commerce Minister is in Washington DC and President Trump has made yet another grand announcement from Doha. There is total chuppi from our PM. What has he agreed to and what linkage is there between this and the stoppage of Operation Sindoor?" AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh asked on X.

The lack of a public response from the Indian government has only added fuel to the fire, leaving room for speculation about backchannel discussions or unannounced understandings.

MEA: No Trade Link to Operation Sindoor

As a clarification, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs firmly rejected Trump’s claims and said that trade did not affect either its actions against terrorism or the ceasefire that followed.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that India continues not to allow any third party to intervene in issues between Pakistan and Kashmir."Our relations and dealings with Pakistan will be strictly bilateral. That is a national consensus for years, and there is absolutely no change in that," he stated.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Calculated Retaliation

The horrifying terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians was the main reason behind military escalation between India and Pakistan. As a counter, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror camps within the Pakistani border with precision-based strikes.

In retaliation, Pakistan carried out air strikes using drones and missiles and heavy shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), especially impacting border districts like Poonch significantly. At least 13 civilians, including children, were killed in the subsequent Pakistani attacks.

India escalated further on May 10 by launching missile strikes on eight Pakistani airbases. The operation targeted military infrastructure believed to be linked to future terror planning and logistical support. Reports suggest India’s strategic objectives were largely achieved before the two sides moved toward a ceasefire.

Ceasefire Concluded Through Military Channels

The actual cessation of hostilities was formalized following a call between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries on May 10. They both agreed on de-escalation and restoring calm across the border, particularly along high-tension zones in Jammu & Kashmir and came to an understanding of ceasefire.

Interestingly, the ceasefire was officially confirmed only after Trump had already made his claim public. This premature announcement not only surprised many but also invited criticism from international observers and India’s political opposition.

Trump’s Pattern of Diplomatic Self-Praise

Trump’s comments, though headline-grabbing, are not entirely surprising. The former president has long boasted about his ability to resolve complex international disputes. From North Korea to the Middle East, Trump has frequently inserted himself into geopolitical conflicts with sweeping, and often unverified, claims of success.

However, Indian officials have consistently dismissed these claims in past instances involving Kashmir. The latest episode appears to be another case of Trump overstating his role in a highly sensitive regional conflict.

Bilateral Resolve, Not Trade Rhetoric

Despite Trump’s dramatic narrative, the ground reality suggests that the India-Pakistan ceasefire was the result of careful military strategy and direct communication between the two nations' armed forces — not a peace deal disguised as a trade agreement brokered in Washington.

While Trump's statements make for soundbites, India's stance remains firm: issues with Pakistan will be resolved bilaterally, without external mediation. Whether or not Trump genuinely influenced any part of the recent de-escalation remains a matter of debate — but for New Delhi, the message is clear: national security and diplomacy are not bargaining chips in international trade games.

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