Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Aug 20: The United States has once again reiterated its claim that President Donald Trump prevented a military conflict between India and Pakistan, using what it described as America’s “trade leverage.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, addressing the media on Tuesday, said Trump’s strength-based diplomacy had helped avert a possible nuclear confrontation in South Asia.
“The President is using the might of American strength to demand respect from allies, friends and adversaries across the world. We saw this in the progress on Russia and Ukraine, and also in the ending of seven global conflicts,” Leavitt said. “We’ve seen it with the end of the conflict between India and Pakistan, which could have resulted in a nuclear war if not for the President’s use of trade leverage.”
Leavitt added that Trump repeatedly employed trade as a “powerful tool” to bring the conflict to an end.
Since May 10, when Trump claimed India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” after what he called a “long night” of talks mediated by Washington, he has publicly asserted over 40 times that he “helped settle” the tensions.
However, India has consistently maintained that the ceasefire understanding was the outcome of direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also clarified in Parliament that no foreign leader intervened to halt Operation Sindoor.
In a fresh twist, Leavitt also revealed that Trump had imposed sanctions on India as part of efforts to pressure Moscow over the Russia-Ukraine war. “The President has put tremendous public pressure to bring this war to a close. Sanctions on India and other actions were part of that pressure,” she stated.
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in an interview to CNBC, accused India of “profiteering” by reselling Russian oil. Washington has since announced tariffs totalling 50 percent on Indian goods, including a 25 percent levy tied to New Delhi’s Russian oil imports, effective August 27.
New Delhi has termed the move “unjustified and unreasonable,” asserting that, like any major economy, India will take all measures necessary to safeguard its national interests and economic security.