India has firmly rejected Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s claim that former US President Donald Trump mediated a ceasefire between the two countries following Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, Petal Gahlot, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, said the cessation of hostilities was the result of direct military-to-military discussions between India and Pakistan — not external intervention.
“This Assembly witnessed absurd theatrics from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy. No degree of drama can conceal the facts. Till May 9, Pakistan was threatening more attacks, but on May 10, its military pleaded with us for a cessation to the fighting,” Gahlot said, exercising India’s Right of Reply.
Sharif, during his UNGA address, had praised Donald Trump’s “efforts for peace,” even revealing that Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. He also called for a “composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue” with India, criticised New Delhi’s policies in Jammu & Kashmir, and warned that India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance was an “act of war.”
India, however, has consistently maintained that the May ceasefire understanding was bilateral and denied any third-party role.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 tourists were killed. India struck multiple terror camps and infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir before the ceasefire was reached on May 10.
