Speaking to reporters on Friday at Joint Base Andrews, Trump asserted that a “very nasty” confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours was stopped not through military might, but by using the power of commerce.
“I think the deal I’m most proud of is the fact that we’re dealing with India, we’re dealing with Pakistan and we were able to stop potentially a nuclear war through trade as opposed through bullets,” Trump said, according to PTI report.
Trump Credits Trade Leverage for Defusing India-Pakistan Conflict
The former president elaborated that, unlike past conflicts that escalated with firepower, the United States under his leadership used economic influence to discourage warfare.
“Normally they do it through bullets. We do it through trade. So I’m very proud of that. Nobody talks about it but we had a very nasty potential war going on between Pakistan and India. And now, if you look, they’re doing fine,” he told reporters.
He further said, “It was getting very bad. It was getting very nasty. They are both nuclear powers.”
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly asserted that he warned New Delhi and Islamabad that the United States would cut off trade if tensions didn’t de-escalate.
“I wouldn’t have any interest in making a deal with either if they were going to be at war with each other. I would not and I’ll let them know.”
India Dismisses Trade Claims, Points to Direct Military Dialogue
However, India has categorically denied that trade discussions played any role in ending hostilities. Government sources stated on Thursday that no trade threats or offers were part of US-India discussions during the recent cross-border flare-up with Pakistan.
New Delhi maintains that the de-escalation came through direct military-to-military talks between the two countries’ Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs).
The conflict stemmed from the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, a targeted military campaign against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The two sides agreed to cease hostilities on 10 May, following four days of intense missile and drone exchanges.
“We Can Fight Better Than Anybody” – Trump
Trump, known for his combative rhetoric, added a characteristic flourish, asserting America’s global strength in deterring conflicts.
“We are stopping others from fighting also because ultimately, we can fight better than anybody. We have the greatest military in the world. We have the greatest leaders in the world.”
The comments came during two separate media interactions on Friday, including one in the Oval Office alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who briefly served in the Trump administration before returning to the private sector.
“We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting. I believe that could have turned out into a nuclear disaster,” Trump told reporters during the press event.
“India, as you know, we’re very close to making a deal with India,” Trump added. “Pakistani representatives are coming to Washington next week.”
“I want to thank the leaders of India, the leaders of Pakistan, and I want to thank my people also. We talked trade and we said ‘We can’t trade with people that are shooting at each other and potentially using nuclear weapons’. They understood, and they agreed, and that all stopped.”
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