NEW DELHI โ On Tuesday, the Indian government firmly rejected President Donald Trumpโs assertion that the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan was influenced by potential trade incentives offered by the United States.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for Indiaโs foreign ministry, stated during a weekly press briefing that while communication had taken place between senior Indian and U.S. officials amidst the heightened military tension between India and Pakistan, trade discussions were never a topic. According to Jaiswal, conversations transpired between U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Indiaโs S. Jaishankar, strictly focusing on the military standoff rather than trade.
Following an agreement over the weekend between the two neighboring nations to cease hostilities on land, sea, and air, Trump mentioned to the media that he had offered significant trade benefits if India and Pakistan chose to de-escalate their conflict. Trump emphasized his influence by stating, โI said, weโre going to do a lot of trade with you.โ He suggested his proposal swayed the nationsโ decisions to seek peace, illustrating trade as a pivotal factor in the decision-making process.
Tensions peaked last week when India launched military strikes on targets in Pakistan, which it alleged were linked to militants who conducted an attack, killing 26 tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Pakistan denied any involvement with the attackers. Consequently, both nations engaged in vigorous exchanges along their borders, including missile and drone assaults primarily focusing on military targets and airbases.
The confrontation between these nuclear-armed countries posed a significant threat to regional stability, spurring international leadersโ calls for moderation and peace. Trump claimed his efforts not only mediated the truce but also addressed the ongoing Kashmir dispute, a region contested by both countries who have fought several wars over it. However, India dismissed Trumpโs offer to mediate in Kashmir.
โOur firm national stance is that matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir are bilateral issues between India and Pakistan,โ Jaiswal reiterated, affirming no deviation from Indiaโs established policy on the issue.
In a separate development, Pakistanโs Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the expulsion of an Indian diplomatic staffer from Islamabad for unspecified misconduct, ordering his departure within 24 hours. This move escalates the diplomatic tension following last monthโs reciprocated actions wherein both countries reduced the size of each otherโs diplomatic missions.
Such expulsions are routine between India and Pakistan, often stemming from allegations of espionage.