Eight Times Trump Made Claims that Undermined India But Wasn't Really Rebutted by New Delhi

The Wire

a day ago

In recent weeks, United States president Donald Trump has made statements that have either contradicted Indian interests or caused embarrassment for prime minister Narendra Modi, particularly in the context of India's sensitive positions on Kashmir, dealing with Pakistan, trade and economic sovereignty. They have either gone against core Indian diplomatic positions or publicly undermined Modi by undercutting his narratives of strength and sovereignty, fuelling domestic criticism and opposition's demands for accountability.
1) Trump's public claim of mediating the India-Pakistan ceasefire and Kashmir issue
On May 10, he posted on Truth Social:
'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!'
On May 11, he posted on Truth Social:
'I will work with you both to see if, after a 'thousand years,' a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir.'
Context:
India has long rejected any third-party mediation on Kashmir, considering it a strictly bilateral issue with Pakistan. Trump's repeated public claims of US mediation and willingness to 'work with both' on Kashmir directly contradict India's stated position and diplomatic red lines. These statements made Modi appear weak and being pressured into a ceasefire, in contrast with India's historic resistance to outside intervention under previous prime ministers.
2) Trump's boast about using trade pressure to force India's hand
On May 12, 2025, Trump said:
'I said, come on we're going to do a lot of trade with you guys. So, stop it. Stop it and we'll do trade. If you don't stop it, we're not going to do any trade. Suddenly, they said, ok, we're going to stop. And they have. They did it for a lot of reasons. But trade is a big one. No one has used trade the way I have.'
Context:
Trump's claim that he used trade threats to force India and Pakistan into a ceasefire portrays Modi as susceptible to US pressure, undermining his image of a strong leader who will stand up for India's strategic autonomy.
In the MEA briefing on the following day, the spokesperson when asked about Trump's 'trade assertion' said that till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on May 10, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation and 'the issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions.'
This did not stop Trump from making similar assertions again.
3) Claiming credit for mediating the India-Pakistan ceasefire and linking it to trade
At the Oval Office of the White House, Trump said during a press conference with the South African president on May 21-22:
'If you take a look at what we just did with Pakistan and India. We settled that whole, and I think I settled it through trade.'
'And I said, 'What are you guys doing?' Somebody had to be the last one to shoot. But the shooting was getting worse and worse, bigger and bigger, deeper and deeper into the countries. And we spoke to them, and I think we, you know, I hate to say we got it settled, and then two days later, something happens, and they say it's Trump's fault.'
'But… Pakistan has got some excellent people and some really good, great leader. And India is my friend, Modi… He's a Great guy and I called them both. It's something good.'
Context:
Trump's repeated public claims of US mediation and linking the ceasefire to trade negotiations directly contradict India's official position and undermine Modi's diplomatic narrative. It negates New Delhi's claim that the ceasefire was negotiated directly between Indian and Pakistani DGMOs.
On May 23, the MEA said that it is the government's position that 'any India-Pakistan engagement has to be bilateral' but did not address directly the flaw in Trump's mediation claim.
The spokesperson then said:
'At the same time I would like to remind you that talks and terror don't go together. On terrorism itself, as I had said earlier, we are open to discussing the handing over to India of noted terrorists whose list was given to Pakistan some years ago. I would also like to underline that any bilateral discussion on Jammu and Kashmir will only be on the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan. And on the question of Indus waters treaty, I am again repeating myself, it will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. As our Prime Minister has said, water and blood cannot flow together; trade and terror also cannot go together.
4) Trump equating India and Pakistan, ignoring terrorism concerns
On May 11, Trump said:
'I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great nations.'
On May 12-13, in Saudi Arabia, Trump remarked both nations have 'powerful' and 'strong' leaders who might even 'go out and have a nice dinner together.'
Context:
By publicly equating India and Pakistan and failing to mention the Pahalgam terror attack which India blames on Pakistan, President Trump undermined India's efforts to distinguish itself as a victim of cross-border terrorism. The 'hyphenation' with Pakistan is a diplomatic setback for Modi, since it makes India appear as just another party in a regional dispute rather than a key US partner.
Also read: Opp Questions Modi's Silence on US Mediation Claims, Trade Threats in India-Pak Ceasefire
5) Trump again claims credit, equates India and Pakistan
On May 22, 2025, Trump said at the Oval Office of the White House:
'If you take a look at what we just did with Pakistan and India. We settled that whole, and I think I settled it through trade. And I said, 'What are you guys doing?' Somebody had to be the last one to shoot. But the shooting was getting worse and worse, bigger and bigger, deeper and deeper into the countries. And we spoke to them, and I think we, you know, I hate to say we got it settled, and then two days later, something happens, and they say it's Trump's fault.'
'But… Pakistan has got some excellent people and some really good, great leader. And India is my friend, Modi… He's a Great guy and I called them both. It's something good.'
Context:
President Trump's continued public credit-taking and his equating of India and Pakistan as 'both great nations with strong leaders' undermined India's efforts to distinguish itself from Pakistan diplomatically and on terrorism issues.
6) Trump's public assertion of India offering zero tariffs under US pressure
On May 15, 2025, Trump said during a meeting in Doha:
'It is very hard to sell in India, and they are offering us a deal where basically they are willing to literally charge us no tariffs.'
Context:
President Trump's public disclosure of India's negotiating position on tariffs, especially the claim of 'literally no tariffs,' puts the Modi government in a difficult spot domestically, as it suggests India is capitulating to US trade demands.
7) Trump publicly opposing Apple's expansion in India
On May 15–16, 2025, Trump, in public remarks and during a CNBC interview, said:
'I had a bit of an issue with Tim Cook yesterday. I told, ', you my friend I've treated you very well. You're bringing $500 billion here, but now I hear you're expanding over India I don't want you in India.''
'We're not interested in you expanding in India; India can handle itself… we want you to produce here.'
Context:
President Trump's statements criticising Apple's expansion in India and urging the company to manufacture in the US instead of India directly undermine Modi's attempts to position India as a global manufacturing hub, again embarrassing the government's economic strategy.
8) Trump's threat to Apple's 'Make in India' plans
On May 23, 2025, Trump wrote on Truth Social:
'I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US. Thank you for your attention to this matter!'
Context:
These remarks directly undermine Modi's flagship 'Make in India' initiative, which aims to attract global manufacturing investment. Trump's threat of a 25% tariff on iPhones made in India for the US market discourages companies from investing in India, undercutting Modi's public claims of success in attracting global manufacturers.
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