Washington: In a statement from the White House on Monday, US President Donald Trump asserted that his administration played a key role in mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, preventing a potential nuclear conflict between the two South Asian nations.
According to President Trump, the US intervened on Saturday to secure an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities between the two countries, both of which are nuclear powers. He expressed confidence that the ceasefire would be maintained permanently.
"Both countries were engaging in hostile actions against each other, and it seemed like there was no end in sight," Trump stated. "I am very proud that the leadership of India and Pakistan recognized the seriousness of the situation. We provided substantial assistance."
President Trump highlighted the use of trade as a key leverage in the US's mediation efforts. "I said we would engage in significant trade with you, but only if you stop fighting. If you don’t, we will not trade with you," he explained. "People haven’t used trade in the way I have."
He emphasized that the threat of suspending trade was a decisive factor in prompting both countries to cease hostilities. "Suddenly, they said they were stopping. They stopped for many reasons, but trade was a big one," he claimed.
The US president also mentioned ongoing negotiations on trade and tariffs with India, indicating that talks with Pakistan would commence soon.
President Trump expressed pride in the US's role, suggesting that the intervention had averted a potentially catastrophic nuclear conflict. "We stopped a nuclear war. It could have been a bad nuclear war with millions of casualties," he remarked. "I am very proud of what we have done."
