In a press conference held on Monday, former U.S. President Donald Trump made bold claims about his administration’s role in preventing what he described as a potentially catastrophic nuclear war between India and Pakistan. Trump said that he had personally urged both nations to cease hostilities and assured them that the United States was prepared to engage in extensive trade relations with both countries. He positioned this as part of his broader strategy of diplomacy through economic engagement.
"On Saturday, my administration helped broker a full and immediate ceasefire — I think a permanent one — between India and Pakistan, ending a dangerous conflict of two nations with lots of nuclear weapons," Trump said. He added, "We stopped a nuclear conflict. I think it could have been a bad nuclear war. Millions of people could have been killed, so I’m very proud about that."
While he did not provide detailed evidence or timelines to support his claim, Trump suggested that his approach of using trade negotiations and economic incentives was instrumental in diffusing tensions. He reiterated that this intervention by the United States helped both nations recognize the severity of the situation and pull back from the brink of a violent escalation.
Trump went on to praise the leaders of both India and Pakistan, commending them for their resolve and wisdom in managing a potentially explosive crisis. "I’m very proud to let you know that the leadership of India and Pakistan was unwavering, powerful — but unwavering in both cases," he said. "They really were, from the standpoint of having the strength and wisdom and fortitude to fully know and understand the gravity of the situation."
He further highlighted that trade remained a critical part of his administration’s foreign policy and expressed optimism about the future of economic ties with both countries. “We’re going to do a lot of trade with both Pak and India. We’re negotiating with India right now. We’ll soon be negotiating with Pak,” Trump stated.
Though the exact nature of the conflict he referred to was not clarified, Trump’s remarks appeared to reference a recent period of heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan, possibly hinting at past skirmishes or standoffs, such as those following the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 and the Balakot air strikes that followed. However, it is worth noting that official records and statements from India and Pakistan do not indicate that a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was publicly acknowledged or formalized during that period.
