India has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that he used trade to prevent a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified on Tuesday that India’s military action under Operation Sindoor was a direct and conventional response to the Pahalgam terror attack, with no role played by trade discussions or foreign mediation.
Operation Sindoor: Conventional, not nuclear
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that the operations launched on May 7 targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories and were “entirely in the conventional domain.” He added that any reports suggesting a nuclear threat were unfounded and denied by Pakistan itself.
India’s stance on Kashmir unchanged
Responding to Trump’s offer to mediate on the Kashmir issue, Jaiswal reiterated that India’s position remains unchanged — any talks with Pakistan must be bilateral and focused on the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory.
‘Force of arms compelled Pakistan to stop’
Jaiswal stated that it was India’s strong military response that led Pakistan to halt firing, not external diplomacy. He said India’s airstrikes on eight Pakistani Air Force bases on May 10 forced Pakistan to seek a ceasefire through a DGMO-level call, which was initiated by Pakistan at 12.37 pm and held at 3.35 pm the same day.
No trade talks with US during escalation
Dismissing Trump’s claims of using trade as leverage, Jaiswal confirmed that trade was never discussed with the US from May 7 to May 10. He added that implying such scenarios could set dangerous precedents globally.
Diplomatic and economic steps remain in place
India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and impose other diplomatic measures after the Pahalgam attack remain in effect. Jaiswal said Pakistan must “credibly and irrevocably” stop supporting cross-border terrorism for these measures to be lifted.
Strong message to Pakistan
Calling out Pakistan’s narrative of “victory,” Jaiswal said it was only “fooling itself” by denying the global consequences of supporting terrorism. He highlighted that terrorist sites targeted by India were responsible for deaths of Indian and foreign nationals.
“The sooner Pakistan adapts to the new normal, the better,” he concluded.
