In a significant departure from his previous statements, U.S. President Donald Trump refrained from taking credit for the recent de-escalation between India and Pakistan, instead acknowledging that the leaders of the two nations—Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir—made the decision themselves. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office after hosting General Munir for a private lunch at the White House, Trump said he was thankful to both leaders for choosing peace over conflict, especially amid fears of a potential nuclear escalation.
“For the first time in weeks, Trump did not assert that he helped prevent war between the two South Asian nuclear powers. Instead, he praised both leaders as ‘very smart people’ who chose to pull back on their own,” Trump remarked. “It could have been a nuclear war. Those are two big nuclear powers—and they decided that,” he added.
Trump, who has previously claimed he played a crucial role in easing tensions following the May 10 ceasefire, acknowledged that both Modi and Munir had been in contact with him. He said the U.S. would be willing to engage in significant trade deals with both nations if peace was maintained. “We’re working on trade with both countries,” he said.
However, the Indian side has firmly rejected any suggestion of U.S. mediation or influence in the decision to halt military operations. In a video statement from Kananaskis, Canada, where Modi was attending the G7 Leaders’ Summit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that the ceasefire—part of Operation Sindoor—was the result of direct communication between the militaries of India and Pakistan, initiated at Pakistan’s request. He categorically stated that there were no talks of a trade agreement or external intervention with the U.S. during the decision-making process.
The latest comments from both Trump and Indian officials mark a diplomatic recalibration, underscoring India’s consistent stance on bilateral resolution of regional conflicts and the limits of third-party involvement.
