Fri May 30 02:31:45 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

India is refuting claims from the U.S. Commerce Secretary and former President Trump that a trade offer from the U.S. was instrumental in halting recent military clashes between India and Pakistan. Indian officials maintain that the cessation of hostilities was achieved through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan. While acknowledging conversations with U.S. leaders during the conflict, India insists that trade and tariff issues were not discussed. The U.S. claims were made in a court submission arguing for the importance of presidential power in trade matters, particularly in crisis situations. The timeline involves the Indian military operation “Sindoor,” launched in response to the Pahalgam attack, followed by de-escalation efforts and the eventual ceasefire.

**News Article:**

**India Denies U.S. Role in Halting India-Pakistan Clashes**

*New Delhi, May 30, 2025* – India today firmly rejected claims from the United States that a trade offer from Washington was crucial in securing a ceasefire between Indian and Pakistani forces earlier this month.

Speaking at a press briefing, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the cessation of hostilities was the result of direct negotiations between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.

The rebuttal comes after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a New York court that President Donald Trump’s offer of trade access to both nations was instrumental in averting a full-scale war. Mr. Lutnick’s statement was made as part of a legal argument defending presidential authority in imposing tariffs, claiming it’s a vital tool for diplomatic leverage.

“The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions,” Mr. Jaiswal stated, referring to conversations between Indian and U.S. leaders during the period of heightened tensions, specifically between May 7th, when “Operation Sindoor” commenced following the Pahalgam attack, and May 10th, when the ceasefire understanding was reached. The External Affairs Minister has also reiterated that direct contact between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan was decisive.

The U.S. court case revolves around the legality of President Trump’s tariff policies, with the court recently ruling against them. Mr. Lutnick argued that restricting presidential power in this area could undermine future diplomatic efforts and potentially destabilize regions, citing the India-Pakistan situation as an example.

While acknowledging a phone conversation between U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9th, focused on de-escalation, Indian officials maintain that the agreement to end the conflict was a bilateral decision reached through military channels. Foreign Minister Jaishankar also spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. India had communicated to the US that it would retaliate to Pakistan’s military actions after the launch of Operation Sindoor.

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