Washington, DC, June 19, 2025: In a notable shift, US President Donald Trump refrained from taking personal credit for the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire, instead attributing the de-escalation to the “very smart” leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, after hosting General Munir for lunch at the White House, Trump highlighted the decision by the two nuclear-armed neighbors to halt military conflict on May 10, 2025, averting a potential nuclear crisis. The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic engagements, including a recent phone call between Trump and Modi, and underscore the delicate balance of US relations with both South Asian powers as trade discussions gain momentum.
Trump’s Remarks and Context
Trump’s comments marked a departure from his earlier assertions, repeated over weeks, that he personally “helped settle” tensions between India and Pakistan following heightened military exchanges along the Line of Control (LoC) in early 2025. The conflict, dubbed Operation Sindoor by India, saw intense artillery fire and cross-border skirmishes, raising global concerns about escalation between the two nuclear powers. On May 10, both nations announced a ceasefire, facilitated through direct military-to-military channels at Pakistan’s request.
During Wednesday’s interaction, Trump expressed gratitude to both leaders: “The reason I had [General Munir] here, I want to thank him for not going into war, ending the war. And I want to thank Prime Minister Modi, who left a little while ago. We’re working on a trade deal with India, and with Pakistan too.” He praised Modi and Munir as “two very smart people” who, along with their teams, chose to step back from a conflict that “could have been a nuclear war.” Emphasizing the nuclear capabilities of both nations, Trump added, “Those are two nuclear powers, big ones, and they decided that.”
Trump’s remarks followed a lunch meeting with General Munir, a rare high-level engagement reflecting the US’s strategic interest in Pakistan’s stability. Modi, whom Trump referenced as having visited “a few weeks ago,” was not physically present but had engaged with Trump via a 35-minute phone call from the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, earlier in June. The call, their first formal conversation since the ceasefire, focused on bilateral ties, with no mention of US mediation in the India-Pakistan conflict, as clarified by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
India’s Firm Stance on No Third-Party Mediation
In a video message from Kananaskis, Misri provided clarity on India’s position, stating that Modi “firmly conveyed” to Trump that at “no point” during Operation Sindoor was there any discussion of a US-mediated trade agreement or American involvement in resolving the conflict. “The decision to cease military operations was reached directly between India and Pakistan through existing military-to-military communication channels, initiated at Islamabad’s request,” Misri said. He reiterated India’s long-standing policy of rejecting third-party mediation, noting “full political consensus” within the country on this stance, a position rooted in the 1972 Simla Agreement, which mandates bilateral resolution of disputes.
Misri’s statement addressed Trump’s earlier claims of brokering the ceasefire, which had drawn skepticism in New Delhi. Posts on X from Indian analysts, like @GeoPolInsights, reflected this sentiment: “Trump’s credit-taking was always a stretch. India-Pak ceasefire was a bilateral military call, not a White House deal.” The clarification underscores India’s sensitivity to external involvement in its disputes with Pakistan, particularly given the complex history of US-Pakistan relations and Washington’s past mediation efforts in the region.
Trade Talks and Strategic Implications
Trump’s mention of trade deals with both India and Pakistan signals an economic carrot tied to regional stability. “I told them America would do a lot of trade if they stopped the hostilities,” he said, suggesting that economic incentives played a role in his discussions. The US-India trade relationship, valued at $191 billion in 2024, has been a priority for both nations, with ongoing negotiations to resolve tariff disputes and expand market access. Trump’s administration has pushed for a limited trade agreement with India, focusing on sectors like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and technology, though no concrete deal has materialized.
With Pakistan, trade remains modest at $6.8 billion annually, but the US sees economic engagement as a means to bolster Pakistan’s economy amid its debt crisis. General Munir’s visit, following meetings with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, highlighted military and economic cooperation, with discussions on counterterrorism and regional security. However, Trump’s framing of trade as a reward for de-escalation risks oversimplifying the India-Pakistan dynamic, where deep-seated issues like Kashmir and terrorism remain unresolved.
The Ceasefire and Regional Dynamics
The May 10 ceasefire, the first significant de-escalation since the 2021 LoC agreement, was driven by Pakistan’s request amid economic strain and domestic political challenges. India, under Modi’s leadership, responded pragmatically, leveraging its military advantage to secure favorable terms, including stricter adherence to the 2003 ceasefire agreement. The truce has held despite minor violations, with both sides using Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) hotlines to manage tensions.
The absence of high-level political dialogue, however, limits the ceasefire’s long-term impact. Modi’s government has maintained that talks with Pakistan are contingent on Islamabad addressing cross-border terrorism, a stance reiterated during the G7 call. Pakistan, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and General Munir, faces internal pressures, including rising militancy and economic woes, which may have prompted the ceasefire to avoid a two-front conflict with India and Afghanistan.
Trump’s Role and US Foreign Policy
Trump’s initial claims of orchestrating the ceasefire aligned with his administration’s narrative of decisive diplomacy, echoing his 2019 assertions during the Pulwama-Balakot crisis. However, his Wednesday remarks reflect a more restrained approach, possibly in response to India’s public rebuttal. Analysts suggest Trump’s pivot acknowledges the bilateral nature of the ceasefire while maintaining his image as a dealmaker. On X, users like @USPolWatcher noted, “Trump’s backing off on India-Pak credit shows he’s reading the room. Modi’s team made it clear this was their call.”
The US remains a key stakeholder in South Asia, balancing its strategic partnership with India—bolstered by the Quad and defense agreements—against its reliance on Pakistan for counterterrorism and Afghan policy. Trump’s engagement with both leaders underscores this dual approach, but his trade-focused rhetoric risks alienating India, which prioritizes sovereignty over external incentives. The G7 Summit, where Trump and Modi were scheduled to meet but didn’t due to Trump’s early departure, highlighted logistical challenges in aligning their agendas.
Broader Implications
The ceasefire has eased immediate tensions, but the India-Pakistan relationship remains fragile. Nuclear capabilities, with India possessing an estimated 160 warheads and Pakistan 170, amplify the stakes, as Trump noted. The international community, including the UN and China, has welcomed the truce, but lasting peace requires addressing root causes like Kashmir, which neither side is willing to compromise on publicly.
For India, the ceasefire reinforces its regional dominance, allowing Modi to focus on domestic priorities like economic recovery and infrastructure, as seen in recent highway toll reforms. Pakistan, grappling with IMF negotiations and internal unrest, gains breathing room but faces pressure to deliver on anti-terrorism commitments. The US, under Trump, benefits from a stable South Asia to advance its Indo-Pacific strategy against China, though its trade promises may overpromise deliverables.
Looking Ahead
As India and Pakistan navigate the ceasefire, Trump’s role as a bystander rather than a mediator aligns with the bilateral framework both nations prefer. Modi’s firm stance against third-party involvement, coupled with Munir’s focus on military de-escalation, suggests that future progress depends on direct engagement, however limited. Trade talks with the US offer potential economic benefits, but their linkage to the ceasefire may complicate negotiations. For now, Trump’s praise of Modi and Munir as “very smart leaders” acknowledges their agency in averting a crisis, setting a cautiously optimistic tone for regional stability.
Last Updated on: Thursday, June 19, 2025 12:37 pm by Lokram Chittiboina | Published by: Lokram Chittiboina on Thursday, June 19, 2025 12:37 pm | News Categories: News
About The Author
Leave a Reply