Washington: US President Donald Trump brought up the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan during his interaction with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House on Wednesday. The president claimed to have settled the issue with trade, even as tensions increased between both countries after India launched Operation Sindoor days after 26 people lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack.
“If you look at what we did with Pakistan and India. We settled the issue, and I think I settled it through trade,” he said while speaking at the Oval Office. Talking about escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, Trump noted, “Somebody had to be the last person to shoot. But the shooting was getting worse and bigger. We spoke to them. I hate to say we got it settled, and then two days later, something happens, and they say it’s Trump’s fault.” Earlier, too, Trump claimed to have “helped settle” the conflict between the two nations.
Ceasefire result of bilateral discussion: MEA
It may be noted that the Government of India refuted Trump’s claims, emphasising that the ceasefire reiterated that any issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir will be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally.
Tensions between India and Pakistan increased after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people lost their lives and several others were injured. Soon after, India launched Operation Sindoor against terror camps in Pakistan. On May 7, India launched an attack on nine terror camps belonging to three Pakistani terror groups LeT, JeM, and HM. Later Indian Government claimed that nearly 100 people lost their lives in these terror attacks.
Pakistan soon launched drone attacks on Indian installations, which India. However, after a couple of days of intense tensions, Trump shared a message on social media announcing a ceasefire between the two countries.
Trump accuses Ramaphosa Govt of ‘targeting whites’
During the meeting, Trump confronted Ramaphosa claiming that white farmers are being targeted and killed in South Africa. A video shown during the meeting as proof shows speeches by a politician who was sacked from Ramaphosa’s party, is not part of the coalition that is in power in the country.
