Trump: I Helped Settle the India-Pakistan Conflict

Trump Takes Credit for Defusing India-Pakistan Crisis

Former US president Donald Trump made a bold claim on Thursday, asserting his role in de-escalating the recent tensions between India and Pakistan. Speaking to American troops in Doha, Qatar, Trump stated that the situation had spiraled out of control following the deadly Pahalgam attack in Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed. He warned of a potential arms race, saying, “You’ll start seeing missiles of a different type.”

A Trade Deal and Back-Channel Diplomacy

Trump hinted that a trade discussion might have played a part in resolving the conflict, stating that both India and Pakistan were “very happy” to engage in commerce instead of conflict. While he didn’t divulge specifics, reports suggest that US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Macro Rubio were actively involved in back-channel diplomacy during this period.

Scrutiny and Analysis of Trump’s Claims

Trump’s claims have drawn scrutiny from both India and the United States. Indian foreign policy analysts, speaking to ANI, pointed out that while the US pushed Pakistan towards a ceasefire, they did not directly mediate the conflict. Veteran diplomat KP Fabian emphasized that India remained firm and insisted on direct communication with Pakistan, ultimately leading to a ceasefire agreement on May 10th.

Behind the Scenes: US Pressure and Indian Resolve

According to Fabian, the US exerted pressure on Pakistan to de-escalate the situation. He recalled, “We were stern with our actions, and Pakistan did not know what to do next…they were in dilemma.” This suggests that while the US played a supporting role, India’s strategic response ultimately forced Pakistan to seek a resolution.