Trump takes credit for brokering ceasefire between India and Pakistan amid fears of nuclear escalation; PM Modi reaffirms India’s new counter-terror doctrine and warns that retaliation is only suspended, not over.
New Delhi/Washington, May 13:
US President Donald Trump made a dramatic claim during a White House press briefing on Monday, stating that his administration had averted a potential “bad nuclear war” between India and Pakistan, thanks to last-minute diplomatic intervention.
“It could have been a bad nuclear war, where millions of people could have been killed,” Trump said, praising Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their roles in brokering what he referred to as a “full and immediate ceasefire.”
#WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, "…I'm very proud to let you know that the leadership of Indian and Pakistan was unwavering and powerful, but unwavering in both cases – they really were from the standpoint of having the strength and the wisdom and fortitude to fully… pic.twitter.com/rFbznHMJDF
— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2025
While initially measured, Trump veered off-script to claim he had leveraged trade threats to push both nations toward de-escalation.
“I said, come on, we’re going to do a lot of trade with you guys, so let’s stop it. If you don’t stop, we’re not going to do any trade,” he remarked.
India Rejects “Trade” Claim
Indian government sources quickly dismissed Trump’s claim about trade pressure being used to halt hostilities. Officials said that conversations between US and Indian officials — including calls between VP Vance and PM Modi (May 9), Secretary Rubio and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar (May 8, 10), and NSA Ajit Doval (May 10) — included no mention of trade.
PM Modi’s Response: “No Nuclear Blackmail”
Within an hour of Trump’s address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a nationally broadcast speech, offering a sharp and strategic response.
“India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail,” Modi said. “We will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts operating under the cover of nuclear threats.”
Modi declared that Operation Sindoor marks not just a retaliatory mission, but a doctrinal shift in India’s approach to terrorism.
“Operation Sindoor is not just an operation. It is the beginning of a new normal — a revised national doctrine. India will strike wherever terror is bred and harbored, without hesitation,” he added.
Ceasefire “Not Permanent”
Dismissing Trump’s assertion of a “permanent ceasefire,” PM Modi clarified that the retaliatory action has only been paused based on Pakistan’s verbal assurances that it will dismantle terror infrastructure.
“Let me be clear: the strikes are not over. They are suspended. We will measure every action Pakistan takes from this point forward,” the Prime Minister cautioned.
Modi concluded with a stern message:
“India will no longer differentiate between the state that sponsors terrorism and the masterminds of terror attacks. They will be treated the same.”
Tags:
Donald Trump, PM Modi, Operation Sindoor, India Pakistan ceasefire, nuclear conflict, JD Vance, Marco Rubio, terrorism, cross-border strikes, nuclear blackmail, trade diplomacy, US-India talks, Modi speech, OperationSindoor,
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