Trump Claims Credit for Averting India-Pakistan War

New Delhi, June 13 (PTI): U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that he prevented a war between India and Pakistan, a statement to which Congress has responded by highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's continued silence on the matter.

In a video shared by Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, Trump remarked in Washington D.C. that he "stopped a war between India and Pakistan" through diplomacy and trade. Ramesh noted that while India mourns the tragic Ahmedabad aircraft accident, Trump persists in repeating his claims.

During a recent speech at the Kennedy Centre, Trump insisted he "can solve anything," referring to the long-standing India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir, and expressed his intention to mediate between the two countries.

India, however, maintains that the Kashmir issue is strictly bilateral and rejects third-party intervention. Trump, while signing a bill at the White House, claimed credit for diffusing tensions by stating, "I stopped a war with phone calls and trade."

He further elaborated that both countries were on the brink of a conflict involving nuclear escalation. "I called each leader, whom I respect greatly, and explained the repercussions of starting a war; they understood and ceased hostilities," Trump shared.

The underlying tensions had heightened following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, with both countries exchanging military actions in early May. The conflict ceased after discussions between the military operations chiefs of both nations. India has continuously stated that the de-escalation resulted from direct military talks, not external mediation.

The Congress has criticized the Modi administration for its perceived diplomatic failures with the U.S., noting recent American actions that appear to equate India with Pakistan. Ramesh stated these developments indicate failures in Modi's foreign policy, influenced by domestic politics.

He highlighted remarks by U.S. Army General Michael Kurilla praising Pakistan as a valuable counterterrorism partner, the impending visit of Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to Washington, and comments from Trump administration officials as significant diplomatic setbacks for India.

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