Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

A US State Department Spokesperson has said that people today have direct access to world events and are free to make their own opinions, instead of only listening to others’ comments.

Why Did This Question Come Up?

Since May, when India and Pakistan agreed to stop fighting, US President Donald Trump has been claiming credit for helping both countries reach this peace. However, India has denied these claims many times.

When asked again about Trump’s repeated claims, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce gave an ambiguous (unclear) answer. She said:

“People have direct access to world events and can form their own opinions rather than rely on commentary. So many comments speak for themselves. The good thing about our modern world is that people can see what is happening. One doesn’t have to rely only on a comment to know the truth.”

What Happened Between India and Pakistan?

• The conflict started on May 7, when India launched Operation Sindoor. This was a response to the terror attack in Pahalgam that happened on April 22.

• After that, for a few days, both countries used drones and missiles to attack each other’s military buildings and areas.

When Did the Ceasefire Happen?

On May 10, India announced that it had agreed with Pakistan to stop the fighting.

• Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the agreement was reached after talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries.

• This means that the top military officers of India and Pakistan discussed and decided to stop the attacks.

What Did Trump Say About the Ceasefire?

Even though India and Pakistan said they decided the ceasefire themselves, President Trump claimed that he helped to broker (arrange) the truce.

Later, he also said that the ceasefire was linked to a trade deal he offered to both countries, but India has rejected this claim many times.

What Did the US Spokesperson Say About Trump’s Claims?

When asked why Trump keeps saying he brokered the ceasefire even though India denies it, Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said:

“The world is playing out in front of us in real time on big screens and small screens. Everyone will have an opinion. That is an opinion. Some opinions are wrong; mine rarely are. But other people’s opinions can be wrong…”

This means she did not directly confirm or deny Trump’s claim, and kept her answer open-ended.

Was Anyone Else from the US Involved?

Tammy Bruce also said that JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States, was involved in the talks between India and Pakistan.

But earlier, during the peak of the conflict on May 9, JD Vance had said:

“We can’t control these countries. India has its issues with Pakistan, and Pakistan has responded to India. What we can do is to urge them to reduce tensions a little bit, but we are not going to get involved in a war that is fundamentally none of our business.”

This means he felt that America should not interfere too much in their conflict.

What Did India Say Most Recently?

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has again clarified that the ceasefire was agreed upon by the DGMOs of India and Pakistan through direct talks, and it had nothing to do with any trade talks or deals offered by Trump.

Why Is This Important News?

This news is important because:

• It shows how countries communicate during conflicts.

• It teaches about how leaders sometimes claim credit for things that happen between other countries.

• It helps us understand that statements made by leaders are not always fully accepted by all countries involved.