The appeal comes in the aftermath of a four-day conflict triggered by a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. India responded with "Operation Sindoor," targeting militant camps across the Line of Control. Pakistan retaliated, claiming to have downed six Indian fighter jets and reported 33 civilian casualties. Sharif credited Trump with helping to secure a ceasefire, although New Delhi has denied any U.S. involvement in brokering the truce.
India maintains that the ceasefire was a bilateral agreement and has consistently rejected third-party mediation in its disputes with Pakistan. During a diplomatic mission in Washington, an Indian parliamentary delegation, including Shashi Tharoor, emphasized that India would not engage in dialogue under duress, metaphorically stating it would not talk "with a gun pointed at our head". The delegation also highlighted Pakistan's alleged support for terrorist groups and called on the U.S. to recognize India's right to respond to attacks.
Despite India's firm stance, Sharif reiterated his call for U.S. involvement, stating that Trump's previous efforts had shown he could be an effective mediator. Sharif's remarks were echoed by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who asserted that Trump "deserves credit" for facilitating the cessation of hostilities.
The U.S. administration has not officially confirmed its role in the ceasefire. However, during a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump claimed to have brokered peace between India and Pakistan. The Kremlin has not provided details on the discussion, and Russia maintains that any conflict between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally.
Pakistan's outreach to the U.S. comes amid growing international scrutiny over its alleged support for terrorist activities. India has launched a global diplomatic campaign to garner support and redefine the narrative surrounding its actions, framing its strikes into Pakistan as counterterrorism measures. Meanwhile, Pakistan is seeking to counter this narrative by involving global powers in facilitating dialogue.