US again asserts role in ending India-Pakistan conflict, India denies mediation claims
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The White House on Tuesday reiterated its claim that US President Donald Trump played a decisive role in halting hostilities between India and Pakistan, a position New Delhi continues to firmly reject.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing that Trump had used American influence and trade as leverage to end the conflict.
“The President is using the might of American strength to demand that respect from our allies, our friends, our adversaries all around the world. We've seen it with the end of the conflict between India and Pakistan, which could have resulted in a nuclear war if we had not had a President who believed in the strength and the leverage that comes with the job,” she stated.
Leavitt added that Trump had used trade “in a very powerful way as leverage” to de-escalate tensions.
Since May 10, when Trump claimed on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after Washington’s intervention, he has repeated the assertion more than 40 times.
India, however, has consistently maintained that the ceasefire understanding was achieved through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has categorically told Parliament that “no leader of any country asked India to stop Operation Sindoor.”
Leavitt also said Trump had imposed sanctions on India as part of efforts to pressure Russia over the Ukraine war. “The President has put tremendous public pressure to bring this war to a close. He has taken actions, as you have seen, sanctions on India and other actions as well,” she added.
Her remarks come after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused India of “profiteering” by reselling Russian oil. The Trump administration has announced new tariffs of 50 per cent on India, including a 25 per cent levy specifically on Russian oil imports, effective August 27.
New Delhi has called the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable”, stressing that, like any major economy, India will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests and economic security.