‘US Was In United States’: Jaishankar Shuts Down Donald Trump’s India-Pakistan Mediation Claim

In a powerful diplomatic rebuttal, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar dismissed former US President Donald Trump’s claims that the United States played a mediating role in the India-Pakistan ceasefire declared on May 10, 2025. In an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS, Jaishankar clarified that the ceasefire was purely bilateral and initiated by Pakistan via direct military communication. This development comes amid renewed tensions post-Operation Sindoor and highlights India’s firm stance on sovereignty, bilateralism, and its enduring position on Kashmir.

Trump’s Mediation Claim and Jaishankar’s Response

Donald Trump, in a recent public address, claimed credit for facilitating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following escalations around the April 22 terror attack and subsequent Indian military response. However, Jaishankar firmly rejected this assertion, stating succinctly: “The US was in the United States.”

He clarified that the ceasefire was agreed upon strictly through bilateral military channels, without third-party involvement. “We made one thing very clear to everybody who spoke to us, not just the United States but to everyone: if the Pakistanis want to stop fighting, they need to tell us,” he said. According to Jaishankar, the Pakistani military contacted their Indian counterparts directly to request the ceasefire—an assertion that firmly contradicts any claim of American diplomacy playing a role.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Right to Respond

Jaishankar’s remarks also addressed India’s recent military action, Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 cross-border terror attack. Emphasizing that the operation was born out of necessity rather than provocation, Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to striking at terrorism at its roots.

“We will hit the terrorists. If the terrorists are in Pakistan, we will hit them where they are.” — S. Jaishankar

This signals a clear message to both domestic and international audiences: India will not tolerate cross-border terrorism and will respond proportionately and decisively.

He also noted that while active operations have ceased, the operation remains “dormant”—a status that preserves India’s right to reactivate its response mechanisms should future provocations arise.

On Kashmir: No Negotiation on Sovereignty

One of the most assertive aspects of Jaishankar’s statement was his reiteration of India’s long-held position on Jammu and Kashmir. He underlined that Kashmir is an integral part of India and that no nation can be expected to negotiate over its own territory.

“There is one segment of Kashmir which is under illegal occupation by Pakistan since 1947-48. We would like to discuss with them when they propose to leave that part.”

This powerful remark reaffirms India’s official stance on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and signals that New Delhi views any talks with Islamabad within the framework of restoring Indian territorial integrity, not making compromises.

Strategic Implications

This diplomatic exchange carries several key implications:

1. Reaffirmation of Bilateralism: India’s firm rejection of third-party mediation reinforces its long-standing position that all India-Pakistan issues must be resolved bilaterally, a policy rooted in the Shimla Agreement (1972) and the Lahore Declaration (1999).
2. Countering International Misconceptions: By publicly contradicting Trump’s statements, India aims to control the international narrative and prevent misinformation that could misrepresent the dynamics of South Asian geopolitics.
3. Strengthening Sovereignty: India’s categorical statements reinforce its non-negotiable sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir, a critical message for both domestic constituencies and international observers.
4. Deterrence Through Action: Operation Sindoor and the possibility of its revival serve as a strategic deterrent against state-sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil.

Conclusion

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s remarks are more than just a diplomatic rebuttal—they are a strategic declaration of India’s foreign policy principles in action. By discrediting Donald Trump’s claims of mediation, Jaishankar has drawn a clear line in the sand: India will not entertain third-party interference, will safeguard its sovereignty, and will respond forcefully to threats.

In an era where international narratives can shape regional realities, India’s voice—firm, direct, and principled—reaffirms its role as a sovereign, self-reliant nation committed to peace, but unafraid of strength.