Fri May 16 20:53:44 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
U.S. President Donald Trump is claiming credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, following recent clashes sparked by India’s “Operation Sindoor” in response to a terror attack. Trump has repeatedly asserted his administration’s role in achieving the cessation of hostilities, despite India maintaining it was a bilateral agreement reached between the two countries’ military operations directors. The U.S. State Department has since shifted its stance, emphasizing the need for direct talks between India and Pakistan.
**News Article:**
**Trump Claims “Big Success” in India-Pakistan Ceasefire, Despite Indian Denials**
**New York/Washington – May 17, 2025** – U.S. President Donald Trump has once again asserted his administration’s role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, calling it a “big success” and citing the previously high level of “anger” between the two nations. Trump made the comments aboard Air Force One on Friday, following a tour of the Gulf region.
“We are very happy with what happened,” Trump told reporters, repeating claims he first made on May 10th. “If you would have seen the level of anger between the two, that was not a good thing.”
Trump’s claims come after a period of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7th, targeting terror infrastructure in response to the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack, which tragically killed 26 people. Pakistan retaliated with attacks on Indian military bases, leading to a fierce counter-attack by Indian forces. Both sides reached an understanding to halt military actions on May 10th.
While Trump claims the U.S. mediated a “full and immediate ceasefire” after “a long night of talks,” Indian government sources in New Delhi have consistently maintained that the agreement was reached solely between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, with no third-party involvement. India has long held that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter.
Adding to the confusion, the U.S. State Department seemingly walked back Trump’s earlier assertions. Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated on Thursday that the administration wants to encourage and see “direct” talks between India and Pakistan. “We’re happy to see a ceasefire… and we want to encourage and see direct talks between the parties,” Pigott said. “The President is a peacemaker, and we celebrate the advancement of peace.”
The conflicting narratives from Washington and New Delhi leave the exact nature of U.S. involvement in the ceasefire agreement unclear. The situation raises questions about the future of U.S.-India-Pakistan relations.
First Piper 