New Delhi: Congress leader Pawan Khera has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on former US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that he brokered an end to hostilities between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strike after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
In a strongly worded post on X, Khera said:
“This is the eighth time President Trump has made this claim that he got Operation Sindoor stopped. He claims to have used trade to get India to end Operation Sindoor. Prime Minister Modi has not rejected this claim even once. What does this silence mean?”
This is the 8th time President Trump has made this claim that he got Operation Sindoor stopped.
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) May 22, 2025
He claims to have used trade to get India to end Operation Sindoor.
Prime Minister Modi has not rejected this claim even once. What does this silence mean? https://t.co/5nONvo7Hmi
Trump’s Latest Remarks Stir Diplomatic Chatter
Trump, speaking during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House, reiterated that his “trade diplomacy” helped stop Operation Sindoor, while also referring to his friendly ties with PM Modi.
“We settled that whole thing… I think I settled it through trade. We’re doing a big deal with India…and Pakistan. The shooting was getting worse, but we got it settled,” Trump said.
He added,
“India is my friend. Modi, he’s a great guy.”
This follows his earlier claims of playing a mediating role between India and Pakistan, which had also sparked criticism and skepticism in the past.
India’s Firm Rebuttal: No Third-Party Involvement
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) swiftly responded, dismissing Trump’s remarks and reiterating India’s long-standing policy on bilateral resolution of matters with Pakistan.
In a statement, MEA said:
“We have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That policy has not changed.”
The ministry further clarified that:
“From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7th May till the cessation of firing on 10th May, conversations with US leaders were limited to military updates. Trade was not discussed at any point.”
Background: Operation Sindoor and Its Aftermath
India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, including a Nepali citizen. The operation involved precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
India’s military action reportedly resulted in the elimination of nearly 100 terror operatives, with targets including Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Muridke training base. After a brief period of escalation, hostilities ceased following a hotline conversation between DGMOs of both nations.
Conclusion
As diplomatic ripples from Operation Sindoor continue, Trump’s repeated claims of brokering peace through trade have become a political flashpoint. With the Congress targeting PM Modi’s silence and the MEA issuing sharp clarifications, the incident underscores the sensitivity and complexity of India’s engagement on cross-border terrorism and international diplomacy.