India Dismisses Trump’s Involvement in Ceasefire Negotiations As Countries Give Conflicting Accounts
India, Pakistan, and President Donald Trump went to work on Saturday morning trying to control the narrative around who brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan overnight, which was meant to put a stop to some of the worst fighting between the two nuclear powers in decades.
MSNBC opened with its morning news programs with the news, “Good afternoon from Washington. Welcome to Alex Witt Reports. I’m Christine Ruffini, in today for Alex. We’re gonna start this hour with breaking news and a big announcement from the White House.”
“President Trump says a new ceasefire deal has been reached between India and Pakistan, brokered by the United States. Trump claimed involvement on Truth Social today. But India’s Ministry of Information said the ceasefire was negotiated directly between the two countries,” Ruffini reported.
Ruffini was referring to Trump’s early morning post that read, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
India’s Ministry of Information posted soon after:
.@MEAIndia announces that stoppage of firing & military action between India and Pakistan was worked out directly between the two countries.
The Pak DGMO initiated the call this afternoon after which discussions took place and understanding reached.
There is no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place.
#OperationSindoor #IndiaFightsPropaganda
Pakistan also weighed in and thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the U.S. for their role in the negotiations. An anonymous source in Pakistani intelligence spoke to the New York Times, which reported, “A senior Pakistani intelligence official praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his role in negotiating the cease-fire with India, but credited President Trump’s direct intervention with closing the agreement. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence, said Pakistan hoped that Trump’s involvement would allow the agreement to hold.” Clashes between the two countries continued after Saturday’s announcement.
The differing accounts between India and Trump are particularly notable as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his pro-nationalist government are widely seen as close allies, both ideologically and personally, with Trump. Observers were quick to note that India’s statement appeared more likely to be for domestic political reasons, trying to make clear that it was Pakistan that backed down first, having “ initiated the call” that resulted in the end of hostilities. India, notably, did not call the agreement a ceasefire in its statement.
Watch the clip above via MSNBC.
