In a diplomatic development with implications for regional relations, Pakistan’s top political leaders have publicly praised former US President Donald Trump, crediting him with playing a central role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after the recent military hostilities.

On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari applauded Trump’s involvement in bringing about a ceasefire. The comments came during separate events — Sharif at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, and Bhutto-Zardari during an interaction with Pakistani-American journalists in Washington.

Pakistan’s Version of Ceasefire Mediation

The leaders spoke in the backdrop of the four-day conflict that followed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. India had retaliated strongly on May 7 with targeted precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), triggering a rapid escalation in hostilities.

According to Pakistan’s official narrative, the ceasefire — reached on May 10 — had been facilitated, in large part, by diplomatic interventions by Donald Trump.

“President Trump is a man against escalation and a man against cold and hot war,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“He is a man of peace… and beneficial business deals,” he added, referring to the ceasefire understanding as a turning point in the conflict.

Sharif further claimed that the Pahalgam attack was a ‘false-flag operation’, a narrative that contradicts India’s assertion of a cross-border terror incident.

India’s Firm Rebuttal

India has consistently denied any foreign involvement in the ceasefire process. According to the Indian government, the de-escalation followed a formal call from Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to his Indian counterpart — a standard mechanism that has been used in past border stand-offs.

Indian officials have reiterated that the ceasefire was a result of direct bilateral military communication, not external mediation.

“India has not sought any mediation and does not recognise Trump’s role in the ceasefire agreement,” sources in the Ministry of External Affairs told reporters last week.

India also remains opposed to any third-party mediation in its bilateral disputes with Pakistan — a principle it has maintained firmly for decades, especially since the Shimla Agreement of 1972.

Bilawal’s Praise for Trump in Washington

Meanwhile, in Washington, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is leading a three-day Pakistani delegation, also praised Trump, calling his role in the ceasefire critical.

“He deserves credit, because it was his efforts that helped make the ceasefire possible,” Bilawal said.

“He has taken credit for facilitating peace between India and Pakistan on at least 10 occasions — and rightly so,” he added, referring to Trump’s statements on his social media platform Truth Social.

Bilawal’s endorsement of Trump’s role comes despite India’s repeated official statements asserting that Trump was not involved in any such negotiations or discussions.

Renewed US-Pakistan Ties and Call for Dialogue

Both Sharif and Bhutto-Zardari also used the platform to speak about the renewed trajectory of US-Pakistan relations, expressing optimism about a new phase of bilateral engagement.

“The bilateral ties between the US and Pakistan are entering a phase of renewed friendship, and the close contacts are being revived,” said PM Sharif, extending greetings to the US on its Independence Day anniversary.

Significantly, both leaders also urged the US to facilitate comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan, despite India’s clear disinterest in third-party negotiations.

“Washington must play a role in building a peaceful South Asia,” said Bilawal.

Backdrop: Operation Sindoor and Strategic Calculations

India’s May 7 strike, termed Operation Sindoor, was its most extensive cross-border action since the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. The operation targeted terror launchpads, logistical hubs, and ammunition depots inside Pakistan-controlled territory, marking a significant escalation after the Pahalgam terror strike.

Following this, the four-day confrontation saw missile exchanges, drone activity, and heavy mobilisation. Eventually, on May 10, the DGMO-level call led to a halt in active military operations — a development India credits to its own assertive posture and back-channel coordination, not any foreign involvement.

India’s Diplomatic Line Remains Consistent

India’s foreign policy doctrine continues to emphasise bilateralism, with a clear rejection of any international mediation, be it from the United Nations, the United States, or other nations.

This was recently reaffirmed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who while in the US, diplomatically set aside Trump’s claim, stating that India had never sought such mediation and saw the issue as a “small matter” compared to broader India-US strategic goals.

“We have a much more valuable partnership with Washington that we would not want to jeopardise over a matter of detail,” Tharoor remarked.

Conclusion: Diverging Narratives, Strategic Caution

As Pakistan hails Trump as a peace broker, India continues to maintain that any resolution in its conflict with Pakistan must be handled directly, without third-party involvement. The sharply divergent narratives — one seeking global involvement, the other focused on strategic autonomy — highlight the fundamental differences in diplomatic outlook between the two nations.

While Trump may continue to claim credit, and Pakistan may amplify his role for political advantage, India’s restraint underscores its desire to avoid internationalising bilateral issues — particularly at a time when sensitive US-India trade talks and security partnerships are in motion.

In the end, it’s a classic clash between optics and policy, with India holding the line of diplomatic sovereignty, even as Pakistan seeks to leverage global platforms in its favour.

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