US President Donald Trump's claim that trade played a role in halting the recent India-Pakistan military escalation has sparked strong rebuttals in New Delhi. Sources familiar with high-level discussions confirmed that trade wasn't mentioned during any conversations between Indian leaders and US officials during the crisis.

Trump claimed he used the prospect of increased trade to “stop a nuclear conflict,” suggesting that both India and Pakistan backed down under economic pressure. However, Indian officials clarified that the ceasefire agreement was a bilateral understanding reached between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs), not brokered or influenced by the US.

Moreover, President Trump's early announcement of the ceasefire before any official Indian confirmation was seen in New Delhi as premature and misleading. The Indian government maintains that no talks on Kashmir or other bilateral treaties will resume, and trade agreements remain on a separate track unrelated to the conflict.