WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump has praised Pakistanis as “brilliant people” and claimed his administration played a decisive role in halting what he described as a near-nuclear conflict between Pakistan and India. In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News, Trump said trade diplomacy helped avert catastrophe and could be a long-term path to peace in South Asia.
“That was going to be a nuclear war, I think, or close… And now everyone’s happy,” Trump said, referring to the latest tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. “Missiles were being fired, retaliation was underway, and both sides were escalating rapidly.”
Trump credited his administration’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy for halting the crisis, noting that his team pushed for immediate engagement through trade. “I told my people, call them up—let’s start trading immediately,” he said.
The president shared that he had “great conversations” with Pakistani leaders, expressing optimism about future cooperation. “They would love to trade. They are brilliant people and make incredible products. We don’t do much trading with them,” he said. While emphasizing economic collaboration, Trump also acknowledged that trade volumes between the U.S. and Pakistan remain limited.
In a characteristic off-script moment, Trump added, “We can’t forget them because it does take two rectangle,” apparently intending to emphasize the need for mutual cooperation.
The latest escalation began on April 22, when an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan for the assault without presenting public evidence. Tensions rapidly worsened as India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, canceled visas for Pakistanis, and downgraded diplomatic ties.
On May 7, missile strikes targeted cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), killing civilians and destroying a mosque. Pakistan’s military responded by downing multiple Indian Rafale jets and Israeli-made drones. Days later, India launched missile strikes on Pakistani airbases. Pakistan retaliated with Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, damaging Indian military sites.
A ceasefire was declared by the evening of May 10, following what Trump described as “intense diplomatic efforts overnight.” The agreement was confirmed by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and India’s foreign secretary, although Indian officials denied any foreign mediation and claimed the truce resulted from bilateral talks.
Despite India’s official stance, Trump doubled down on his claim at the US-Saudi Investment Forum. “Let’s not trade nuclear missiles, let’s trade the things you make so beautifully,” he said. “Trade is a tool for peace.”
Trump described the episode as one of the major, yet underappreciated, diplomatic successes of his presidency.
