Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Jun 18: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday once again claimed credit for stopping a military conflict between India and Pakistan in May, weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack that left several Indian soldiers dead.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, "I stopped the war. I love Pakistan. I think Modi is a fantastic man. I spoke to him last night. We're going to make a trade deal with Modi of India. But I stopped the war between Pakistan and India."
Trump also lauded Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, claiming he played a critical role in halting the hostilities. "This man was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistan side. Modi, from the India side, and others. They were going at it, and they're both nuclear countries. I got it stopped," the former president asserted.
However, India strongly refuted any notion of US mediation. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear during a 35-minute phone call with Trump that India does not and will never accept third-party mediation, particularly on issues with Pakistan. "India has never accepted mediation, does not and will never do so," Misri told reporters.
Modi reportedly emphasized that during the four-day military standoff from May 7 to 10, India directly handled talks with Pakistan through military channels and had no discussions with the US regarding mediation or trade deals during that period.
The Prime Minister also reiterated India’s firm stand against terror after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, stating any act of aggression from Pakistan would be met with a stronger response.
Misri further said President Trump had expressed interest in hosting Modi in the US during the latter’s return from Canada, but prior commitments prevented the visit. However, both leaders agreed to meet at a later date.
Trump had first claimed on May 10 that his intervention had stopped the military clashes between India and Pakistan. Since then, he has repeatedly stated that he used the threat of cutting off trade with both countries to de-escalate tensions—an assertion India continues to deny.