Trump Always Takes Credit, Says Ex-NSA John Bolton on India-Pakistan Ceasefire Claim

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has dismissed Donald Trump’s recent claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan, calling it a typical case of the former president taking credit for events regardless of facts.

Speaking to ANI, Bolton said, “It’s nothing personal to India. This is Donald Trump, who takes credit for everything.” His remarks come in response to Trump’s assertion that he played a pivotal role in negotiating a ceasefire between the two nuclear neighbours following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.

Trump, during a joint press conference with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, claimed, “We settled that whole thing. I think I settled it through trade. We’re doing a big deal with India. We’re doing a big deal with Pakistan.”

He further claimed on Truth Social: “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.”

However, Indian officials have strongly refuted these claims, maintaining that no foreign mediation was involved in the decision to de-escalate tensions. A senior government source told The Headliner, “There has been no involvement of any external country, including the US, in India’s military or diplomatic decisions in this regard.”

Bolton, known for his candid views and firm foreign policy stances, underlined Trump’s tendency to insert himself into high-profile developments. “He would jump in before everyone else could take credit. It may be irritating… but it’s just Trump being Trump,” Bolton said, adding that while Trump may have had calls with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others, it doesn’t amount to diplomatic mediation.

The recent escalation followed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians and led to India launching Operation Sindoor, targeting multiple terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Tensions appeared to cool in the following weeks, with both nations quietly reducing cross-border hostilities. However, India has categorically stated that its operations were conducted unilaterally and based on national security imperatives.