In a significant shift from previous remarks, U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly acknowledged that the decision to end hostilities between India and Pakistan was made by the leaders of the two nations themselves, without claiming personal credit for the de-escalation. His comments came on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, during a media interaction following his White House lunch with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir.

For weeks, Trump had claimed that his diplomatic efforts helped avert a nuclear conflict between the two South Asian powers. However, this time, he praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and General Munir, calling them “very smart people” who “decided not to continue the war.”

Trump Meets Pakistan Army Chief at White House

In a rare move, General Asim Munir was hosted for lunch at the White House, where he reportedly discussed a wide range of issues, including the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. When questioned whether Iran came up in their talks, Trump said,

“They know Iran very well… maybe even better than most… and he agreed with me.”

Trump said the meeting was also an opportunity to express appreciation for Munir’s role in preventing the escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, a major Indian military campaign launched in response to a deadly terrorist attack.

Praise for Modi and Munir

In a noteworthy statement, Trump said:

“I want to thank [General Munir] for not going into the war, ending the war. And I want to thank… Prime Minister Modi… I’m so happy that two smart people… decided not to keep going with that war. That could have been a nuclear war.”

This marked the first time Trump has not credited himself exclusively for stopping the conflict. Earlier, he had claimed on at least 13 occasions that it was his intervention that resolved the situation.

“Well, I stopped the war. I love Pakistan. I think Mr. Modi is a fantastic man… I don’t think I had one story written about it,” Trump said, appearing slightly frustrated that his version of events didn’t get media coverage.

India Denies Mediation, Asserts Direct Bilateral Coordination

Back in India, the government has maintained a clear and consistent position: that the ceasefire was achieved without third-party involvement.

In a statement issued from Kananaskis, Canada, where PM Modi was attending the G7 Leaders’ Summit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri categorically denied that there was any discussion on trade deals or mediation offers during the conflict or in the ceasefire process.

“At no point during Operation Sindoor was there any discussion, at any level, on an India-U.S. trade deal or any proposal for mediation,” Misri said in a video message.

Misri revealed that the ceasefire agreement was reached through direct communication between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, with the initiative reportedly coming from Islamabad’s side.

Operation Sindoor and Timeline of Events

The chain of events leading up to the de-escalation began with the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, a targeted military campaign aimed at neutralising terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Over four days of drone and missile strikes, the two nuclear-armed nations appeared to be on the brink of full-scale war. But on May 10, 2025, both sides reached an understanding to halt military operations immediately.

Since then, New Delhi has reiterated that the decision was military in nature, guided by national security concerns and strategic prudence.

Modi-Trump Communication During G7

Although Prime Minister Modi and President Trump were expected to meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, Trump’s early return to Washington disrupted those plans.

However, the two leaders did have a 35-minute phone call on June 17, 2025, during which, according to Misri, Modi conveyed India’s firm stance on non-interference and reiterated that India does not accept third-party mediation in matters related to Pakistan.

“India no longer views terrorism as a proxy war, but as a war itself,” Modi reportedly told Trump, underlining that Operation Sindoor was still ongoing in other forms.

Modi also declined an invitation to stop over in the U.S., citing a pre-scheduled visit to Croatia, the final destination in his three-nation diplomatic tour that began in Cyprus.

Pakistan’s Response: Applause for Trump

Back in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have both praised Trump’s efforts, calling him an instrumental figure in preventing escalation and urging him to facilitate structured dialogue between the two neighbours.

Pakistani media has largely echoed Trump’s narrative, portraying the U.S. President as a key mediator.

However, Indian officials have repeatedly rejected this view, making it clear that India and Pakistan handled the conflict resolution bilaterally, with no foreign intervention.

Political Criticism in India

In India, the opposition Congress party has questioned Prime Minister Modi’s silence in the face of Trump’s repeated claims about mediating peace.

“Trump has trumpeted the ceasefire claim 13 times. When will PM Modi speak up?” a Congress spokesperson asked, urging the government to clarify the true sequence of events.

Conclusion: A Carefully Balanced Narrative

While Trump continues to suggest he played a role in the peace process, his latest remarks signal a strategic shift—placing greater credit on the leadership of India and Pakistan themselves.

This may be a tactical adjustment aimed at sustaining good diplomatic ties with both countries amid sensitive trade negotiations.

At the same time, India’s stance remains unwavering: that Operation Sindoor was an internal military operation, and that any decision to halt hostilities was a sovereign one, coordinated directly with Pakistan's military.

As of now, the situation across the Line of Control (LoC) appears relatively calm, but officials remain vigilant. With both New Delhi and Islamabad reaffirming their nuclear capabilities, the world continues to closely monitor the delicate peace.

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