What does Trump’s ceasefire announcement mean for Modi's strongman image?

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At 5.25 pm on Saturday, the President of the United States posted a message on social media that brought relief to nearly two billion people. “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,” he said (caps are Trump’s, not mine).

It was only half an hour later that the government of India actually announced a ceasefire. “Both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, air and sea at 5 pm,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in a press briefing that lasted less than a minute.

Why did another country announce that India’s armed forces are going to stop hostilities with Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack? And what does that politically mean for Modi’s strongman image?

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The answer to the first question is simple: the US is claiming credit for brokering peace between the subcontinental twins. In...

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