-By LeN Diplomatic Editor
(Lanka-e-News -23.July.2025, 11.20 PM) A diplomatic row of unusual ferocity has erupted between Washington and New Delhi after India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, publicly dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claims that he played a key role in mediating peace between India and Pakistan following their most recent border conflict.
The remarks, made during a policy forum in New Delhi earlier this week, appeared to downplay what President Trump has repeatedly described as his “personal triumph” in defusing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. According to Jaishankar, the ceasefire agreement reached in the aftermath of the 2025 skirmishes was “a result of direct military-to-military engagement” and “entirely indigenous to South Asian regional diplomacy.”
The comment has provoked a furious backlash from Trump and his allies, with sources close to the President claiming he is “deeply insulted” and “demanding consequences.” In a statement circulated on social media by Trump-aligned outlets, the President accused Jaishankar of “disrespecting American leadership” and “erasing history for political convenience.”
“What I did between India and Pakistan was historic. Everyone knows that. I kept the peace,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “This guy Jai Shanker [sic] is lying to protect his own ego. Prime Minister Modi should fire him immediately. The United States deserves an apology.”
Trump’s supporters within the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement have also taken up the charge, calling Jaishankar “anti-American” and accusing India’s foreign policy establishment of showing “ingratitude” toward the Trump administration’s alleged contributions to South Asian stability.
While Secretary Marco - has remained silent on the spat, senior officials within the US State Department privately acknowledged that the tone of Jaishankar’s remarks has caused “concern.” According to one official, speaking on condition of anonymity, “It’s not about Trump per se — it’s about historical accuracy and diplomatic etiquette. When a head of state claims credit for averting a potential war, it’s unusual to see such a blunt contradiction from a close ally.”
Although the State Department has not formally requested any action from Prime Minister Modi’s office, it is understood that informal communication has taken place, expressing “disappointment” at the tenor of the remarks.
The situation presents an uncomfortable dilemma for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has cultivated a close and strategic relationship with Trump during his - First presidency, famously hosting him at the 2019 “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston, and later welcoming him to India with full pomp at the “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad.
While Modi and Jaishankar have long enjoyed a mutually respectful working relationship, sources within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suggest that the Prime Minister is “not entirely pleased” with the fallout from the Foreign Minister’s comments.
“Trump still wields considerable influence, especially among Indian-American voters,” said one senior BJP strategist. “At a time when India is looking to deepen its economic ties with the US, hoping to sign a trade deal- alienating a key political constituency — even an unofficial one — may not be wise.”
The suggestion that Modi may be considering replacing Jaishankar is, for now, speculative. However, party insiders acknowledge that the Foreign Minister’s blunt rhetorical style has occasionally ruffled feathers in both Washington and Brussels, where Indian diplomacy has recently come under scrutiny for its increasingly assertive tone.
Observers of Indo-American relations have urged both sides to lower the temperature. Professor Menon, a senior fellow in international relations at King’s College London, noted, “Diplomatic disputes of this nature rarely serve long-term interests. Whether or not President Trump directly brokered a deal is beside the point. The strategic alignment between India and the US cannot be risked over matters of narrative ownership.”
Pakistan, for its part, has stayed conspicuously silent. Officials in Islamabad have long maintained that any ceasefire understanding with India was the result of bilateral backchannel discussions between intelligence and military representatives — an account that now appears more in line with Jaishankar’s version than Trump’s.
Critics of Dr. Jaishankar within India have described the episode as an “unforced error,” arguing that he could have acknowledged Trump’s involvement without compromising India’s diplomatic autonomy.
“Dismissing Trump’s claims so categorically was unnecessary,” said a former Indian ambassador. “A more tactful approach would have been to say that multiple parties played constructive roles. Denying it outright creates a diplomatic irritant we didn’t need.”
As the controversy unfolds, one thing is clear: Trump’s presidential shadow continues to loom large over global diplomacy — particularly in countries where populist-nationalist affinities remain alive and well.
Whether Jaishankar’s posturing will be interpreted as principled realism or a diplomatic miscalculation may ultimately depend on how long Washington’s memory proves to be.
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by (2025-07-23 18:03:48)
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