New Delhi Dismisses US Claims on Trade Influence in India-Pakistan Ceasefire
New Delhi has rejected claims made by US officials suggesting that trade negotiations played a significant role in halting hostilities between India and Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that trade discussions were not part of the recent talks between Indian and American leaders regarding the military tensions.
On May 10, a ceasefire was reached, with India stating that it was directly facilitated by the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both nations. Spokesperson for the Ministry, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized during a media briefing that conversations between Indian and US officials around the military situation did not involve any discussions about trade or tariffs.
Recently, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated in a New York court that the ceasefire was only achieved after President Donald Trump offered both India and Pakistan access to US trade in a bid to prevent a potential war. Trump has made similar assertions in the past, claiming that trade agreements were instrumental in stopping the conflict.
In response, Jaiswal reiterated that the understanding to cease military actions was independently established by the DGMOs of both countries, dismissing the idea that it was influenced by trade relations.
Lutnick’s statements were made while opposing efforts to limit Trump’s powers to impose tariffs, illustrating the intersection of trade policy and international diplomacy. He indicated that the ability to impose tariffs is vital for diplomatic negotiations, highlighting the delicate balance of relationships between countries like India and Pakistan, especially in moments of conflict.
As always, India continues to focus on direct dialogue with Pakistan to manage and resolve military tensions effectively.
