India denies ending Pakistan conflict under U.S. pressure

India’s defence minister has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that he brokered a ceasefire with Pakistan in May, insisting New Delhi halted fighting only after achieving its military and political objectives.

Rajnath Singh told parliament on Monday that the four-day conflict, triggered by an April attack on Hindu tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, ended because India had “fully achieved” its aims.

“To suggest that the operation was called off under pressure is baseless and entirely incorrect,” Singh said at the start of a debate on the 22 April attack that killed 26 men.

The fighting was the worst between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in nearly 30 years. Both sides deployed fighter jets, missiles and drones, leaving dozens dead before a ceasefire was declared in May.

Trump had earlier said he had helped mediate the truce, a claim welcomed by Pakistan. India, however, maintains that the decision to end hostilities was reached bilaterally with Islamabad, without U.S. involvement.

On Monday, the Indian Army reported killing three men in a gun battle in Indian administered Kashmir. Local media said they were suspected of involvement in the April assault, though this could not be independently verified.

Opposition parties are expected to challenge the government over alleged intelligence failures and reports that several Indian aircraft were downed during the conflict. Pakistan claimed to have shot down five planes, while India’s top general confirmed initial losses without providing details.

The area has remained a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, who have fought two of their three wars over the disputed Himalayan territory.

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