New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): The Congress Party on Wednesday has again urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to 'break' his silence on the matter of repeated claims made by US President Donald Trump's administration regarding its role in brokering the understanding for the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan following the recent escalation after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, questioned the veracity of a statement filed by US Commerce Secretary Howard Luttnick in a New York court claiming the US President is using his tariff power to facilitate a 'tenuous ceasefire' between India and Pakistan. He urged PM Modi to end his 'silence' on the matter.

'The Prime Minister should let the country know whether it is true that the US Commerce Secretary Howard Luttnick filed a statement in the New York-based US Court of International Trade on May 23rd, 2025, swearing that President Trump used his tariff power to broker a 'tenuous ceasefire' between India and Pakistan and bring about a 'fragile peace'?' the Congress MP said.

He noted that the US Secretary of Commerce followed the footsteps of President Trump, who made the claims eight times in 11 days in three different countries.

'Mr. Luttnick follows in the footsteps of President Trump himself, who made this assertion 8 times in 11 days in 3 different countries. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has echoed the same and also mentioned a 'neutral site' for talks between India and Pakistan. Pradhan Mantri Chuppi Todo,' Ramesh added.

The cessation of hostilities between the India and Pakistan nations came after India's 'Operation Sindoor', launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The operation targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), leading to intense clashes, including Pakistan's attempted drone attacks on Indian cities along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) and shelling along the LoC.

Earlier, before India could officially announce any understanding of cessation of hostilities with Pakistan, US President Donald Trump announced the 'full and immediate ceasefire', claiming that the US played a key role as mediator.

'After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

However, India refuted the claims made by the US President, reiterating its policy that India and Pakistan bilaterally address any matter related to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

'As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian Territory by Pakistan,' the Ministry of External Affairs stated.

The MEA further stated that the 'issue of trade' did not come up between Indian and US leaders since the commencement of 'Operation Sindoor' and the cessation of hostilities.

'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 U.S. leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions,' MEA further stated. (ANI)