Donald Trump has once again claimed credit for de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, asserting that his intervention prevented a potential nuclear conflict. This assertion, made on Thursday, August 14, 2025, echoes similar claims he has made repeatedly since a ceasefire between the two nations in May.
Trump stated that without his involvement, "India would be fighting with Pakistan". He implied that trade was the primary leverage he used to achieve this outcome, suggesting that he conditioned trade relations on the cessation of hostilities. "I got things settled with India, Pakistan. I think it was trade more than any other reason," Trump said. He added, "I don't want to be dealing with countries that are trying to blow up themselves and maybe the world. They are nuclear nations".
However, India has consistently denied Trump's claims of mediation, maintaining that the ceasefire was the result of direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries. This stance underscores India's position that the resolution was achieved through bilateral discussions without any third-party intervention.
Trump's repeated claims have been met with skepticism and, in some cases, direct contradiction. Despite this, the former president continues to highlight his role in resolving conflicts around the world, often linking these efforts to his desire to "save lives". He has also mentioned other conflicts, such as those between Cambodia and Thailand, Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, as examples of his successful peacemaking efforts.
Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, has supported Trump's claims, stating that the United States "got involved directly" in bringing about peace between India and Pakistan. Rubio described Trump as committed to peace and called him the "president of peace".
Trump's assertions also come in the context of broader claims about resolving multiple global conflicts through "trade pressure". He has stated that tariffs and trade deals provide the U.S. with leverage to influence other nations and prevent wars.
The situation between India and Pakistan remains complex, with a history of conflict and ongoing tensions. While Trump insists on his role in achieving the ceasefire, the Indian government's consistent denial suggests a different narrative. The truth likely lies somewhere in between, with various factors contributing to the de-escalation of tensions.
