Opinion P Chidambaram writes: The irrepressible Mr Trump

On April 22, Mr Trump, like other leaders, expressed shock and condemnation. On April 25, he said that the two countries will “get it figured out one way or the other.” On May 7, when India retaliated and hit selected targets in Pakistan with missiles and drones, but made it clear that it had no intention to launch a full-scale war, Mr Trump said “I just hope it ends very quickly.” The next day, as the fighting continued, he offered “And if I can do anything to help, I will be there.” All these statements were par for the course.

Shocking & Intriguing

Something changed on the night of May 8/9. I suspect it was the discovery that Chinese-built military aircraft and missiles and Turkish-made drones were deployed by Pakistan. We have the word of senior Indian military officers that every wave of attack was repulsed by India. Although a couple of days later India admitted some “loss” — in a war there will inevitably be losses on both sides — India did not seem too alarmed. Nor were the Indian people. The alarm was triggered on May 10 by Mr Trump’s tweet on his personal social media site, Truth Social. At 5.25 pm, Mr Trump referred to a long night of talks mediated by the U.S. and was “pleased to announce that India and Pakistan agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries…….” A few minutes later, the US Secretary of State tweeted that India and Pakistan will meet for talks at a “neutral site”. The media reported that US Vice-President Vance had shared ‘alarming intel’ in a telephonic talk with Mr Modi the previous night.

To say the least, these tweets were intriguing and shocking.

At 6 pm on May 10, India’s Foreign Secretary confirmed that there were talks between the two DsGMO at 3.35 pm and there was a ceasefire effective 5 pm. The fighting stopped. Hence, Mr Trump was not wrong on facts. I am happy that our defence forces fought bravely, scored many successes, and the fighting stopped.

Carrot & Stick

On May 12, Mr Trump claimed to have stopped a ‘nuclear conflict’ and added, ominously, “Let’s stop it. If you stop it, we’re doing trade. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade.” (President Trump repeated his statements on his visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.) On May 13, Mr Modi laid down the ‘new normal’ and declared that India will not bow to any ‘nuclear blackmail’.

We shall, of course, keep faith in our defence forces and support whatever deterrent action the government may take against Pakistan. But questions will be asked of the government. Asking questions is the right of the people in a democracy.

Questions & Answers

Some legitimate questions are:

1. There is nothing ‘new’ about the three-point formula: a terrorist attack will be given a fitting reply; no tolerance of nuclear blackmail; and no distinction between state terrorism and masterminds of terrorism. Has Mr Modi not merely drawn a thick red line under well-established doctrine?
2. Did Vice-President Vance and Secretary Rubio talk to India on May 8 and 9 about a ceasefire? If they had also talked to Pakistan on the same dates, would it not amount to mediation?
3. Did Mr Vance share ‘alarming intel’ with Mr Modi on May 9, 2025? Was it ‘intelligence’ regarding a Pakistani threat to use nuclear weapons? If not, why did PM (May 12) and the defence minister (May 15) refer to nuclear blackmail?
4. How did President Trump know about the ceasefire agreement reached at 3.35 pm between the DsGMO of the two countries and announce it in his tweet at 5.25 pm?
5. After Mr Trump started a tariff war on April 2, did not India send counter-proposals? Did not Mr Vance raise the subject of a ‘trade deal’ with Mr Modi during his visit to India? (source: ToI, HT)
6. Has India protested to the US against Mr Trump’s repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire and using trade to force a ceasefire?
7. Why did India abstain and not vote against the IMF loan programme to Pakistan?

There are other questions, but this is not the time or place to raise them. Mr Trump is irrepressible, he will not go away, he will make embarrassing statements, and he will give ample material for questions. Will we get answers or is silence the answer?