New Delhi - The Indian government on Tuesday objected to U.S. President Donald Trump's claims that a ceasefire between India and Pakistan came in part because he offered possible trade concessions.
Top leaders in New Delhi and Washington remained in touch last week after a strong deadlock between the Indian military and Pakistan, but there was no dialogue on trade, said in a weekly press conference.
"None of the trade issues have occurred," Jasval said, referring to the dialogue between U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar.
After Saturday's understanding of stopping military operations in land, air and sea between India and Pakistan, Trump told reporters on Monday that he would help trade between the two countries if they agree to degrade.
"I said, come on, we're going to do a lot of deals with you. Let's stop. Let's stop it. If you stop it, we're going to do trades. If you don't stop it, we won't do anything."
"Suddenly, I think we're going to stop," Trump said. "For a lot of reasons, but trade is big."
Indian and Pakistani forces have been involved in one of their worst confrontations for decades since last Wednesday when India attacked a target within Pakistan that was linked to militants in India-controlled Kashmir last month. Pakistan has denied any connection with the attacker.
After India's strike in Pakistan, the two sides actually exchanged fires, followed by missiles and drones attacking each other's territory, mainly targeting military devices and air bases.
Elevated hostilities among nuclear-weapon competitors threaten regional peace, leading world leaders to call for calm tempers.
Trump said he not only helped mediate the ceasefire, but also provided mediation on the chaotic disputes in India and Pakistan that all claimed in the Himalayas. The two countries fought two wars against Kashmir, which has long been described as regional nuclear flashpoints.
New Delhi also rejected Trump's mediation proposal on Tuesday.
"We have a long-standing national position that any issues related to the federally controlled joint territories of Jamu and Kashmir must be resolved both sides by India and Pakistan. None of the established policies have changed."
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said late Tuesday that Pakistan is expelling a staff member of the Islamabad Indian High Commissioner for accusing him of unspecified inappropriate activities and giving him 24 hours to leave the country.
Last month, India and Pakistan reduced each other's diplomatic status in Islamabad and New Delhi in a criminal move. So far, no expelled diplomat has returned. Pakistan and India often expel each other’s diplomats on espionage charges.
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Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed contributed to the story from Islamabad.