Indian defence minister says Trump not involved in ceasefire with Pakistan

India has said it ended military operations against Pakistan in May without any external pressure, pushing back on US President Donald Trump’s claim that he brokered the ceasefire, reported German news agency dpa.

Any claim to the contrary is “absolutely baseless”, said Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday during a parliamentary debate on the military offensive.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours escalated after a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22 that killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists.

In response, Indian forces struck targets in Pakistan two weeks later, sparking cross-border fighting and mutual airstrikes.

Both countries unexpectedly announced a ceasefire on May 10.

Trump said at the time that he had helped mediate between the two sides, using trade policy to pressure them into ending hostilities.

He also announced his intention to seek a long-term solution to the conflict over Kashmir and has repeatedly said he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for what he considers to be his successful mediation.

Rajnath, on the other hand, said on Monday that India had stopped the military operation because the “political and military objectives” had been achieved.

Rajnath’s comments echoed earlier remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who in June said there had been no US involvement and that the ceasefire was agreed bilaterally.

- Bernama

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