New Delhi: India on Thursday reiterated that the ceasefire with Pakistan on May 10 was not linked to any trade deal with the US.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, said at a media briefing, with regard to a court filing in the US in this regard:
“Our position on this particular issue has been well articulated. I would refer you to our position that was made clear on 13th of May. From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation.
“The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions. External Affairs Minister has also made clear that the cessation of firing was decided upon through direct contacts between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan. So that should answer your question.”
The clarification came in the wake of US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s legal submission in a court that the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan was achieved after US President Donald Trump offered trading access to the two nations.
The submission, dated May 23, was in response to a legal challenge by US business owners against Trump’s tariff policies.
Lutnick’s claim stated, “President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war.”
The US Court of International Trade on Wednesday ruled that a majority of Donald Trump’s tariff policies are illegal and ordered a stay on them.
The ruling applies to Trump’s 10% reciprocal tariff on all trade partners, levies on Chinese imports and other countries and fentanyl-related tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico.
UNI
