Trump’s Trumpet Makes Him a Laughing Stock

While US President Donald Trump may be a genuine person trying to be meaningful in the new world order, his enthusiasm and lack of control over his emotions often land him in a ludicrous situation. His recent statement that he brokered a ceasefire between Pakistan and India is one such statement.

He jumped the gun because of his cravings for taking credit and a message for his home audience that he was doing something for world peace. The Indo-Pak conflict provided him with this opportunity even when the US had declared that it would stay away.

During his Presidential campaign, he had loudly declared that he would end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia within 24 hours of coming to power. Then he realised he had jumped the gun and tried to correct himself saying "What I really mean is I'd like to get it settled and, I'll, I think, I think I'll be successful".

He, perhaps, puts a lot of confidence in his friendship with leaders such as Vladmir Putin and Narendra Modi and forgets that these leaders keep the interest of their countries above palliatives. Russia would not end the conflict unless there is substantial agreement to keep Ukraine as a buffer state between itself and NATO countries.

Similarly, Modi would not let Pakistan off the hook unless it stopped supporting terrorism and vacated Pakistan Occupied Kashmir which legally belongs to India. The occupation is illegal.

The Indian government has already clarified that the only issue on which it would discuss with Pakistan is the PoK afer demanding that Pakistan must vacate Kashmir. Donald Trump may think that it can give attractive trade terms to negotiate peace between the two countries but he must also understand that India is not Pakistan.

Pakistan needs the US support through the IMF for economic survival, where as India gives support to neighbouring countries as gesture of goodwill.

Equating India with Pakistan will be the worst sin Trump would commit since India under Modi has decoupled itself and left Pakistan far behind. You can do business with Pakistan but don't try to club India with Pakistan. Gone are the times when US leaders would visit India and then visit Pakistan in the same tour.

So, what happened between the statement by the US Vice President JD Vance that "the US won't intervene in India-Pakistan conflict: 'None of our business'" and Trump declaring that the US had mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and averted a nuclear conflict.

This was good optics for Trump, looking for some success somewhere. But did the US need to negotiate when Pakistan was desperate to stop the conflict after India inflicted heavy damages on its airbases and other significant assets? Pakistan as clamed by its Prime Minister spoke to various countries including Saudi Arabia, Oman, China and the US.

India had warned that if Pakistan escalated conflict, India would retaliate with tough measures. Anyone knew that if Pakistan asked for ceasefire, India would agree since its task was already complete after destroying terrorist camps at nine important sites.

If US officials would ask any Indian official whether India would agree for a ceasefire if Pakistan approached, the obvious answer would be yes. Interpreting this as India seeking a ceasefire is far from the truth. This explains why the DGMOs of Pakistan approached India for a ceasefire.

India said it would keep Pakistan on watch for two days. Other countries may also have spoken to Indian officials. But Trump took the credit before anyone else could do the same. He forgot completely that India would not accept any patronising gesture.

India had not sought a ceasefire but would have stopped attacking Pakistani military establishment if Pakistan had stopped firing along, the borders and sending drones from across.

Trump gave Pakistan a face saver which it desperately wanted. Trump also had to demonstrate that the bailout package given by the IMF would lose meaning if the war had continued. Pakistan did not mind being patronised since it was already under pressure of the US Dollar.

Prime Minister Modi understands Trump and his idiosyncrasies. This explains why he did not say anything against the US. But he made it abundantly clear that the ceasefire issue was dealt at the level of the DGMOs of the two countries.

The government has also clarified that no trade issues were involved and also there was no other condition other than Pakistan abandoning terrorism. The Indian defence forces have declared that they would give a befitting reply to any aggressive behaviour by Pakistan.

India has also further clarified that it would not accept any third- party mediation on Kashmir. This is not the language of a government under any pressure. These incidents have only reinforced the feeling of an average Indian that it should not become pro-US at the cost of Russia which has stood with India like a rock.

India has reciprocated this even during the Ukraine-Russia crisis. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has rightly said that 'India-Russia ties is the only constant in world politics". Now is the time for Joint Venture on S-500.