Despite a ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump, India remains in denial, with New Delhi on Tuesday rejecting Trump’s assertion that he mediated the truce in exchange for trade concessions.
At a weekly news conference, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said top leaders in New Delhi and Washington were in contact last week amid the military standoff with Pakistan, but trade was not discussed.
“The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions,” Jaiswal said, referring to talks between US Vice President JD Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar.
Trump said on Monday that he offered to help both nations with trade if they agreed to de-escalate military actions following a US-mediated ceasefire. He said, “If you stop it, we’ll do a trade. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade.”
Full comments by US President Donald Trump on India Pakistan understanding of 10 May
“Let us not trade nuclear missiles, let us trade” goods
“India, Pakistan are getting along, & they can have a nice dinner 🍽️”
“Millions of people could have died due to the conflict” pic.twitter.com/9u0Ijx8dJb
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) May 13, 2025
India and Pakistan had been engaged in intense hostilities, including airstrikes and missile exchanges, after India struck targets in Pakistan it said were linked to militants responsible for the killing of 26 tourists in Kashmir, a claim which Pakistan categorically denied.
It is worth noting that despite Trump’s repeated claims of playing a significant role in ending the conflict, India has consistently denied his assertions. The escalating conflict threatened regional peace, leading to calls from global leaders to ease tensions.
Trump had also offered mediation over the Kashmir dispute, which both nations claim in full but govern in part. India, however, rejected this offer, reiterating its longstanding position that issues related to Jammu and Kashmir should be resolved bilaterally with Pakistan. “There has been no change to the stated policy,” Jaiswal said.
However, contrary to the Indian foreign ministry’s claim, Trump said that just days ago, his administration had successfully brokered a historic ceasefire to stop escalating violence between India and Pakistan.
Speaking at an investment forum in Riyadh on Tuesday, he urged Pakistan and India to pursue trade with the United States instead of engaging in conflict.
“And I used trade to a large extent to do it. 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 said.
