New Delhi, India – Trump’s Repeated Assertions Regarding India-Pakistan Ceasefire Attract Criticism, Call for Parliamentary Debate New Delhi, India – President Donald Trump has reignited controversy by once again asserting that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Trump has publicly claimed his involvement in reducing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors for the 25th time in just 73 days. This narrative sharply contradicts India’s ongoing rejections.
In the meantime, the Congress party has mounted a vigorous offensive against Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding his apparent quietness in response to Trump’s comments. They have charged him with placing greater importance on foreign trips and domestic political strategies than on dealing with essential national matters.
Trump’s Persistent Claims and “Nuclear War” Warnings
On Tuesday, Trump once again asserted his influence, stating that he “stopped wars between India and Pakistan” through the leverage of trade deals. He painted a dramatic picture of the conflict, claiming, “They shot down five planes in the last attack. It was back and forth, back and forth. I called them and I said no more trade if you do this. They are both powerful nuclear nations. Who knows where that would have ended up, and I stopped it.”
Trump’s latest claim, made during a dinner with Republican senators at the White House last Friday, even included a specific number of jets allegedly shot down – “five, five, four or five. But I think five jets were shot down actually.” He repeatedly remarked that without his intervention, the situation could have escalated into a nuclear conflict. This narrative has been a recurring theme since May 10, when he first announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire following Washington’s mediation.
India’s Consistent Stance: No Third-Party Mediation
Despite Trump’s persistent assertions, India has consistently maintained that the cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was achieved through direct talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGsMO) of both militaries. Prime Minister Modi, in a nearly 35-minute phone call with Trump last month, firmly conveyed that India does not and will “never accept” third-party mediation in its bilateral matters. He emphasized that discussions regarding military actions were initiated at Islamabad’s request.
Opposition Demands Debate on Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor
The Opposition, led by the Congress, is intensifying its demands for a comprehensive parliamentary debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The Pahalgam attack, which occurred on April 22, tragically claimed the lives of 26 civilians. In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The two nations subsequently reached an understanding on May 10 to end the intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that followed for four days.
Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, expressed frustration on X (formerly Twitter) over the government’s reluctance to provide a definite date for these crucial discussions in Parliament. He highlighted the stark contrast between Trump’s repeated claims and PM Modi’s “total quiet,” accusing the Prime Minister of being preoccupied with foreign travel and “destabilizing democratic institutions at home.”
Beyond the Pahalgam incident, opposition leaders are also pressing for the Prime Minister to address the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being carried out by the Election Commission in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. They argue that these critical domestic and foreign policy issues warrant direct accountability and a thorough discussion in both houses of Parliament.