US President Donald Trump has claimed global praise for preventing what he called an “imminent nuclear war” between Pakistan and India. Trump expressed joy over his role as a peacemaker, saying it was “the biggest success” he has been credited for.
Speaking to Fox News after his Middle East trip, Trump reflected on his diplomatic efforts. He visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, securing multi-trillion-dollar trade deals. But his main focus during the interview remained the South Asian conflict.
Tensions Escalate Over Kashmir
On May 6, India launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan, following an alleged incident in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. No evidence of Pakistan’s involvement was presented by Delhi.
Pakistan retaliated. It shocked the world by downing six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales. Pakistan also disabled India’s S-400 missile defense system and hacked key military installations. The response was swift and unexpected.
It was the first time India faced such a defeat at the hands of Pakistan. This humiliation led to fears that Prime Minister Modi might resort to extreme measures to reclaim lost honor. Tensions soared, and nuclear threats loomed large.
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US Steps In to Prevent Disaster
Trump claimed he acted immediately. He directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to contact Indian and Pakistani officials. Within hours, hotline communication resumed between the two nations. Both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
“The biggest success I have ever been given credit for,” Trump said. He emphasized that India and Pakistan are not small players but “major nuclear powers.”
He described how the situation was escalating. “It was getting deeper. More missiles. Stronger responses. Then came the N-word… the nuclear word,” Trump said. “It’s the worst thing that can happen. They were very close.”
He used trade diplomacy to defuse the tension. “We are going to do a lot of trade. I am using trade to settle scores and make peace,” Trump added.
Praise for Pakistan
Trump also praised Pakistan for its cooperation. “We cannot forget them. It takes two to tango,” he said. He revealed that trade was part of his discussion with Pakistani officials. “They would love to trade,” he noted.
He surprised diplomats by praising Pakistanis. “They are brilliant people. They make incredible products. And we don’t do much trade with them,” he said. “Let’s start trading and meeting, because I am a man of my word.”
This marks a shift in US-Pakistan relations, traditionally focused on antiterrorism. Trump’s comments suggested a possible pivot toward trade.
Criticism of India’s Trade Practices
Despite strong ties with India, Trump criticized Delhi’s trade policies. “India is one of the highest taxed tariff nations in the world,” he stated. “They make it almost impossible to do business.”
He said India was willing to drop tariffs to zero for the US. However, he noted that trade still heavily favors Delhi. In 2024, US-India trade reached $129 billion, with India running a $45.7 billion surplus.
Credit to Pakistani Leadership
Trump’s efforts were backed by Pakistani leadership. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir were praised for strategic war planning. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also earned credit for diplomatic handling.
Dar guided Pakistani ambassadors in key countries like the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Iran to manage the crisis. His financial and diplomatic experience played a vital role.
A Window of Opportunity
Analysts believe Pakistan must seize this moment. While India remains a top US ally, Islamabad should push for a long-term trade deal. Shifting the relationship from security-based to trade-focused can strengthen Pakistan’s global standing.
This could be the breakthrough Pakistan has long sought — a place in the global trade network, not just the war on terror.
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