**India’s Response to Trump’s Claims on India-Pakistan Ceasefire**
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed strong disapproval of former US President Donald Trump’s assertion that his administration played a role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Tharoor described Trump’s comments as “disappointing” for India, highlighting four key concerns.
Firstly, Tharoor criticized Trump’s framing of the situation, arguing that it creates a misleading equivalence between the victim and the aggressor. He emphasized that the United States has historically recognized Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism, stating, “We are not the terrorist-dispatching state. The victim cannot be equated to the perpetrator.”
Secondly, Tharoor pointed out that Trump’s remarks provide Pakistan with a negotiating platform that it has not earned. He firmly stated, “India will never negotiate with a terrorist gun pointed at its head,” asserting that rewarding a state known for harboring terrorists undermines the integrity of negotiations.
Thirdly, Tharoor noted that Trump’s comments “internationalize” the Kashmir issue, which India has consistently maintained is an internal matter. He reiterated that India has never sought foreign mediation in this regard.
Lastly, Tharoor expressed concern that Trump’s intervention “re-hyphenates” India and Pakistan in global discussions. He highlighted that for decades, world leaders have been encouraged to treat India and Pakistan separately, a practice that had been upheld by previous US administrations.
Trump had claimed credit for defusing a potential nuclear conflict between the two nations, suggesting that trade negotiations were instrumental in achieving a ceasefire. He stated, “I said, come on, we’re going to do a lot of trade with you guys, so stop it.” However, Indian government sources have denied that any such trade discussions took place during recent high-level meetings.
The ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan was reached on May 10, following a period of heightened military tensions. While Trump referred to it as a “ceasefire,” the Indian government has opted to describe it as an understanding, avoiding the term “ceasefire” in official communications.
**FAQ**
**Q: What was Shashi Tharoor’s main objection to Trump’s claims?**
A: Tharoor objected to Trump’s portrayal of the India-Pakistan ceasefire as a US-led effort, arguing it misrepresents the situation and undermines India’s position.
