Donald Trump has once again asserted his role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, claiming that he prevented a major war between the two nuclear-armed nations. Speaking at a recent event, Trump stated that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked him for saving at least 10 million lives. This is not the first time Trump has made such claims; he has repeatedly stated that his intervention prevented a significant conflict.
Trump's recent remarks were made during the renaming of Southern Boulevard to Donald J Trump Boulevard. He highlighted what he considers his foreign policy successes, including brokering eight peace deals and ending the war in Gaza. Regarding India and Pakistan, Trump claimed, "We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting, two nuclear nations...The Pakistan Prime Minister said Donald Trump saved at least 10 million people, and it was amazing". He has, on previous occasions, also mentioned that "eight planes were shot down" before he intervened.
However, India has consistently refuted Trump's claims of US mediation in the ceasefire established in May 2025. According to India, the ceasefire was the result of bilateral discussions between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries, following an Indian operation targeting terror bases. India maintains that there was no external intervention.
Trump has frequently tied his claims of resolving international conflicts to his belief that he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. He has stated that the scale and duration of the conflicts he claims to have halted warrant global recognition. In an interview with Fox News, Trump described the India-Pakistan situation as one of "eight and a quarter" wars he claims to have ended, insisting that his actions, including warnings about trade and tariffs, prevented a serious escalation. He has also stated that these conflicts "were going on for 30 years" and that India and Pakistan were "ready to go at it big".
The relationship between the United States and India has seen its share of fluctuations. While a strong bond has been forged over the years through military agreements and economic ties, tensions have arisen. Notably, India does not accept foreign mediation in its conflict with Pakistan as a matter of principle. Some analysts believe that Trump's claims and actions, such as hosting Pakistan's military chief shortly after a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, have caused anger and distrust in India.
