Speaking in Riyadh, Donald Trump again asserted that his administration brokered the “historic” ceasefire between India and Pakistan, saying trade was key to the de-escalation.
BY PC Bureau
May 13, 2025
Just hours after Indian officials publicly refuted claims of U.S. involvement in the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire, President Donald Trump, speaking in Riyadh during his Middle East tour, doubled down on his assertion that the U.S. brokered the “historic ceasefire” through diplomatic pressure and trade incentives.
“Just days ago, my administration successfully brokered a historic ceasefire to stop the escalating violence between India and Pakistan,” Trump told the audience. “I used trade to a large extent to do it.”
He recounted his efforts to encourage de-escalation by offering expanded trade opportunities, stating, “I said, fellas, come on, let’s make a deal. Let’s do some trading. Let’s not trade nuclear missiles. Let’s trade the things that you make so beautifully.”
Trump praised the leaders of both nations and expressed optimism for continued U.S. diplomatic intervention, even suggesting a dinner meeting facilitated by Vice President JD Vance and Senator Marco Rubio. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, claiming the conflict threatened “millions of people.”
India Maintains Trade Was Not a Factor
However, Indian officials swiftly and repeatedly denied Trump’s claims. Speaking anonymously, government sources reiterated that trade was not discussed in any conversations with U.S. officials leading up to the ceasefire. They confirmed that trade was not mentioned in Vice President Vance’s call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, or in discussions between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar or National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. “There was no quid pro quo. Trade was never on the table,” one official stated.
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The ceasefire, announced by Trump over the weekend, followed days of escalating military tensions, including drone and missile strikes. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has yet to issue an official statement.
"Maybe we can even get them together a little bit, Marco, where they go out and have a nice dinner together…"
US President Donald Trump comments on the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan.
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Diplomatic Fallout and Conflicting Narratives Persist
Trump’s repeated claims have further strained diplomatic relations with New Delhi, where officials are reportedly angered by what they perceive as an attempt to take credit for a bilateral resolution. India has consistently maintained that issues with Pakistan, particularly regarding Kashmir, should be resolved without third-party mediation.
Pakistani officials, conversely, have welcomed the U.S. involvement. India, however, asserts that Pakistan initiated the ceasefire after Indian forces conducted deep strikes into Pakistani territory.
Prime Minister Modi, in a national address, notably omitted any mention of U.S. involvement, stating that Pakistan agreed to halt “terror activities or military audacity,” leading India to de-escalate. Pakistan’s military continues to assert that India initiated the ceasefire proposal.
Trump’s claims come amidst ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and India. India, seeking relief from U.S. tariffs, recently proposed retaliatory duties, further complicating the trade landscape.
Despite the friction, Trump reiterated that negotiations with India were ongoing and that the U.S. plans to pursue a separate trade pact with Pakistan. “We’re going to do a lot of trade with Pakistan,” he said. “We’re going to do a lot of trade with India. We’re negotiating with India right now. We’re going to be soon negotiating with Pakistan. And we stopped a nuclear conflict.”
