Washington: US President Donald Trump has claimed that his administration played a crucial role in preventing a potential nuclear war between India and Pakistan by promoting trade instead of conflict. Speaking to reporters, Trump said the “deal” he is most proud of is stopping what could have been a devastating war between the two nuclear-armed neighbors through economic engagement rather than military confrontation.
Trump emphasized that his administration warned both India and Pakistan that trade ties would be halted if hostilities continued. “Normally they do it through bullets. We do it through trade. So I’m very proud of that,” he said, referring to efforts to ease tensions following a flare-up of conflict earlier this month.
Trump added that Pakistani officials are scheduled to visit Washington soon and announced, “India, as you know, we’re very close to making a deal with India.” However, he made it clear that the US would not pursue trade agreements with either country if they remained at war with each other. “I wouldn’t have any interest in making a deal with either if they were going to be at war,” he said.
The president reiterated his stance that his administration’s diplomatic efforts stopped the two countries from escalating to a nuclear disaster. “We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting. I believe that could have turned out into a nuclear disaster,” Trump said during a press conference in the Oval Office.
Despite Trump’s claims, Indian officials have maintained that the ceasefire was achieved through direct military talks between the two countries’ Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs), rather than US mediation or trade incentives.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs also dismissed Washington’s repeated claims that trade offers helped prevent conflict during recent India-Pakistan military clashes, saying trade was not discussed during official talks.
Meanwhile, an all-party delegation of Indian parliamentarians led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is scheduled to visit Washington DC in early June after trips to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil. The delegation aims to emphasize India’s firm stance against terrorism and highlight Pakistan’s links to terror activities.
This comes against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, launched about two weeks after the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. The cross-border conflict, involving drone and missile strikes, ended on May 10 following an understanding between the two countries.
Trump concluded by praising the leadership of India and Pakistan, saying they “understood, and they agreed, and that all stopped,” and highlighted the US’s military strength as a key factor in maintaining regional peace.
