Donald Trump Reveals What He Told India, Pakistan Before Ceasefire; Claims US Averted Nuclear Disaster
Donald Trump Claims Credit for Preventing India-Pakistan Nuclear Conflict, India Denies Third-Party Role
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again reiterated his claim that American diplomacy played a decisive role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead. Speaking at a press conference from the Oval Office, Trump claimed that the United States helped prevent what he described as a potential “nuclear disaster” between the two South Asian nations.
Trump Repeats Claim of Preventing Nuclear Conflict
Seated beside Tesla CEO Elon Musk — now serving as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Trump’s administration — the former president claimed his intervention helped stop what could have escalated into a major military confrontation.
“We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting. I believe that could have turned into a nuclear disaster,” Trump stated. He emphasized that leaders from both nations cooperated with the U.S. in order to prevent further escalation. “I want to thank the leaders of India, the leaders of Pakistan, and I want to thank my people also,” he said.
According to Trump, trade negotiations played a role in his diplomatic approach. “We talked trade and we said, ‘we can’t trade with people that are shooting at each other and potentially using nuclear weapons’,” he explained. Trump portrayed the conflict resolution as part of broader U.S. efforts to maintain global peace. “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,” he added.
The Context: Pahalgam Terror Attack and Operation Sindoor
Trump’s remarks came against the backdrop of one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. On April 22, 26 people — most of them tourists — were killed in a terrorist assault at Baisaran meadow in the Pahalgam area. The attack was later claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, a targeted military offensive aimed at neutralizing terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation included coordinated drone and missile strikes on identified camps, weapons depots, and launch pads used by cross-border terrorist groups.
The heightened hostilities prompted international concern, with both nations engaging in cross-border shelling, drone warfare, and cyberattacks over the span of four days.
Ceasefire Agreement and Trump’s Claim
On May 10, both India and Pakistan announced an understanding to cease hostilities on land, air, and sea. The ceasefire came after an intense four-day military standoff. Trump seized this moment to reassert his narrative, claiming that the U.S. played a pivotal role in persuading both nations to step back.
“This was very close to being something the world has never seen before,” Trump said, without providing specific details on how the U.S. influenced the ceasefire. He also emphasized future trade benefits as a diplomatic tool. “We told them, stop the fighting, and we’ll do a lot of trade with you,” he added.
India Dismisses Third-Party Mediation
Despite Trump’s repeated assertions, the Indian government has categorically denied any third-party involvement in the ceasefire agreement. In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the understanding was achieved through direct negotiations between the military leadership of both nations.
According to MEA officials, the ceasefire decision was communicated through established military channels, particularly between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGsMO) of India and Pakistan.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reinforced India’s position, stating, “There was no third-party involvement in the discussions leading to the ceasefire. It was a sovereign decision made through direct engagement with Pakistan’s military leadership.”
Jaishankar further asserted that India’s stance on cross-border terrorism remains unchanged. “If there is another terror strike like the one in Pahalgam, we will respond again — firmly and decisively,” he said, suggesting that Operation Sindoor remains a strategic tool for future deterrence.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Implications
Trump’s comments have sparked mixed reactions internationally. While some observers have credited the former president with using economic leverage to influence global diplomacy, others view his remarks as exaggerated or politically motivated.
In South Asia, his claims have reignited the debate over foreign mediation in the volatile India-Pakistan relationship. India has consistently maintained a policy of bilateral resolution without third-party interference — a stance rooted in the Simla Agreement of 1972.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has historically been more open to international intervention, particularly on the Kashmir issue. However, following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, even Islamabad has remained relatively restrained in its diplomatic messaging.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s assertion that the United States helped prevent a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan underscores the complexities of global diplomacy in high-stakes regions. While his comments may resonate with certain audiences, they stand in contrast to India’s firm position on bilateralism and sovereign decision-making.
As regional tensions remain fragile and the threat of terrorism persists, India and Pakistan’s future engagement — with or without third-party involvement — will likely be shaped by direct dialogue, strategic deterrence, and domestic political considerations.
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