Trump Thanks India and Pakistan for Helping Ease Tensions Between Nuclear States

Trump Credits Modi and Munir for Averting India-Pakistan Conflict, Retracts Sole Credit Claim.

Washington, D.C.: For the first time since the military tensions between India and Pakistan eased, US President Donald Trump refrained from claiming exclusive credit for de-escalating the situation. Instead, he praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir for their roles in preventing what he called a potentially “nuclear war.”

Speaking to the press in the Oval Office after hosting General Munir for lunch at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said, “I was honoured to meet him. The reason I had him here was to thank him for not going into war — for ending the war. I also want to thank Prime Minister Modi. They’re both very smart people, and they decided not to go forward with that war. That could have been a nuclear war.”

Trump said discussions are ongoing with both countries over trade agreements, adding, “We’re working on a trade deal with India. We’re working on a trade deal with Pakistan.” When asked about Iran, Trump remarked, “They [Pakistan] know Iran very well, better than most. They see what’s going on, and he [Munir] agreed with me.”

India Rejects Mediation Claim, Asserts Direct Talks with Pakistan
Trump’s comments mark a shift from his earlier statements where he repeatedly claimed that his intervention had stopped the conflict between the two South Asian nuclear powers. However, Indian officials have consistently dismissed any suggestion of third-party involvement in ending hostilities.

Speaking from Kananaskis, Canada — where Prime Minister Modi was attending the G7 Summit — Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that the ceasefire decision was made solely between India and Pakistan.

“The discussions to end military action took place directly between the armed forces of India and Pakistan, initiated at Islamabad’s request. At no point during Operation Sindoor was there any discussion on US mediation or a trade deal,” Misri said in a video statement.

He added that Modi firmly conveyed to Trump during a 35-minute phone conversation that India does not accept third-party mediation on bilateral issues with Pakistan and that there is full political consensus in the country on this matter.

Trump Reiterates Claim, Despite India’s Clarification
Earlier in the day, Trump again told reporters, “I stopped the war. I love Pakistan. I think Modi is a fantastic man. We’re going to make a trade deal with him.” He continued, “This man [Munir] was very influential on the Pakistan side. Modi and others on the Indian side. They were going at it. I got it stopped.”

He also expressed frustration that the media had not acknowledged his claimed role. “I don’t think I had one story written. I stopped the war between two nuclear nations. I don’t think anyone wrote about it, but people know.”

Modi Declines US Stopover, Cites Schedule
Trump reportedly invited Modi to stop in Washington on his return from the G7 Summit, but the Indian leader declined due to prior engagements. Modi is currently on a three-nation tour that includes Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia.

Misri confirmed that the two leaders agreed to meet soon.

Background: Operation Sindoor
Following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. After four days of cross-border missile and drone strikes, India and Pakistan agreed on May 10 to cease hostilities.

Sources in New Delhi have maintained that the decision to halt military operations was reached through direct communication between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries — without any external mediation.