US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reiterated his claim that his administration brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, asserting that his intervention prevented a potential nuclear conflict.
Addressing lawmakers during his State of the Union speech, Trump said the military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours could have escalated dramatically without US involvement.
“Pakistan and India would have been in a nuclear war,” Trump stated, adding that “35 million people, said the Prime Minister of Pakistan, would have died if it were not for my involvement.”
Reference to Shehbaz Sharif
Trump attributed the casualty estimate to Shehbaz Sharif, though he did not provide further details during his remarks.
The US President has, on multiple occasions since May 2025, maintained that trade pressure and tariff threats were used to persuade both nations to de-escalate tensions.
Background: Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor
The confrontation followed the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 civilians were killed. In response, India launched strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and parts of Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.
Subsequently, both countries engaged in heightened military exchanges before announcing a ceasefire understanding on May 10, 2025.
While Trump has repeatedly asserted that his administration played a decisive mediating role, New Delhi has maintained that the ceasefire was the result of direct bilateral talks between India and Pakistan, without third-party involvement.
Trade Leverage and Tariff Threats
Speaking previously at a public event, Trump said he warned both nations that trade negotiations would be halted unless they resolved the standoff. He also claimed he threatened to impose tariffs of up to 200 percent if hostilities continued.
In recent months, Trump has reiterated his role in halting the conflict on numerous occasions, offering varying details about the scale of the confrontation, including references to aircraft losses. However, he has not specified which country’s assets were involved in those remarks.
Diplomatic Narrative Remains Contested
The US President’s claims have not been formally endorsed by Indian authorities. India’s official position continues to be that the May 10 ceasefire understanding emerged through direct engagement between the two countries.
The episode remains a significant point in discussions surrounding South Asian security, nuclear deterrence, and the evolving role of global powers in regional conflicts.
