In a controversial statement, US President Donald Trump claimed that his administration’s trade tactics played a key role in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Speaking about the diplomatic standoff, Trump said, “I’m very proud to let you know that the leadership of India and Pakistan was unwavering and powerful… They really were, from the standpoint of having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to understand the gravity of the situation. And we helped a lot with trade.”
Trump elaborated that he warned both nations,
“If you stop it [the conflict], we’re doing trade. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade. People have never really used trade the way I used it.”
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He claimed this pressure tactic led to a sudden de-escalation: “All of a sudden they said, ‘I think we’re gonna stop’, and they have.”
Reacting sharply, Indian opposition MP and noted author Shashi Tharoor criticised Trump’s remarks, calling them “disappointing for India in four important ways.”
Tharoor pointed out that Trump’s comments drew a false equivalence between India and Pakistan, ignored the US’s earlier stance on Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism, and offered Islamabad “a negotiating framework it has not earned.”
He added, “India will never negotiate with a terrorist gun pointed at its head,” and criticised the suggestion of international mediation on Kashmir, which he said aligns with the objectives of terror outfits.
VIDEO | Delhi: Here’s what Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) said when asked about the US announcement of the India-Pakistan ceasefire from Washington, DC on Saturday:
“I see it as a particular politician wanting to take credit for something, and I can see that the… pic.twitter.com/n2UjacLVLa
Tharoor also warned that the statement “re-hyphenates” India and Pakistan, undermining decades of diplomatic progress that treated the two countries separately on the world stage.
“This is a major backward step,” Tharoor concluded.
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“With a war raging, Hamas remaining the de facto government of Gaza, and no clarity on next steps, too many questions remain about the future State of Palestine for it to be prudent for New Zealand to announce recognition at this time.”
