Page 4 - The Indian EYE 062725

COVER STORY JUNE 27, 2025 | The Indian Eye 4

INDIA-US RELATIONS

AMBIGUITY OR

CONFUSION?

As Donald Trump claims brokering peace between India and Pakistan and
welcomes Pakistan’s Army Chief to the White House, India watches cautiously,

reiterating its steadfast opposition to third-party mediation in Kashmir

OUR BUREAU
Washington, DC / New Delhi / Islamabad
.S. President Donald Trump
is once again at the center of
Udiplomatic chatter after his
repeated assertions that he helped
“bring about a ceasefire” between In-
dia and Pakistan — a claim New Delhi
views as both inaccurate and poten-
tially damaging. Adding a new layer
of complexity, Trump recently hosted
Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim
Munir, at the White House, a meeting
seen by some in India as an alarming
overture to Rawalpindi’s military es-
tablishment.
These developments, which un-
fold as Trump campaigns for a return
to the White House in 2025, have re-
ignited tensions around the sensitive
issue of Kashmir, foreign mediation,
and the evolving triangular relation-
ship between Washington, New Delhi,
and Islamabad.

Trump’s Ceasefire Claim

n multiple occasions in recent Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at their last meeting at the White House in Washington, DC
weeks, Trump has claimed in February this year (Reuters/ANI)
Othat he played a pivotal role
in preventing war between India and ceasefire, which was a direct outcome taries.” Pakistan. That stance was made crystal
Pakistan during his presidency. While of military-level talks between the Still, Trump’s repeated references clear by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
he has never provided concrete time- Directors General of Military Oper- to a ceasefire raise concerns in India during his interactions with Trump.
lines or specifics, he has insisted that ations (DGMOs) of India and Paki- about the resurrection of third-party Modi is understood to have per-
his “personal relationship with Modi” stan — with no external mediation mediation rhetoric — a red line for sonally conveyed to Trump that India
and his communication with both involved. Indian foreign policy since the Simla does not welcome any third-party in-
sides helped broker a ceasefire. “This is not the first time Trump Agreement of 1972. volvement in India-Pakistan issues,
The former president’s remarks has overstated his diplomatic achieve- emphasizing the country’s position
have raised eyebrows in New Delhi, ments,” said a former Indian ambas- Modi’s Clear Message that such matters must be resolved bi-
where officials insist no such Ameri- sador. “There was no U.S. mediation, laterally.
can-brokered deal ever occurred. In- formal or informal. The ceasefire was ndia has consistently and publicly A senior Indian official who was
dian diplomats point to the 2021 reaf- an agreement reached bilaterally be- rejected any suggestion of medi- privy to some of the discussions stated:
firmation of the 2003 Line of Control tween the Indian and Pakistani mili- Iation in its bilateral disputes with Continued on next page... >>

www.TheIndianEYE.com