US President Donald Trump has asserted that his administration played a crucial role in preventing a potential nuclear conflict between Pakistan and India, revealing that the promise of trade was a significant factor in de-escalating their recent tensions.
In a statement on Monday at the White House, before signing an executive order related to drug prices, Trump explained that the situation between the two nations had become increasingly tense. “They were going at it hot and heavy, and it looked like it wasn’t going to stop,” Trump said. “I told them, ‘Listen, we’re going to do a lot of trade with you, so let’s stop. If you stop, we’ll engage in trade. If you don’t, there’ll be no trade.’”
The president emphasized the power of economic incentives in the peace process, stating, “People have never really used trade the way I did. And suddenly, they said, ‘I think we’re going to stop.’ And they did.” He added that trade was a key motivation for both nations to cease hostilities. “We’re going to do a lot of trade with both Pakistan and India,” Trump confirmed.
Reflecting on the situation, Trump expressed pride in averting a potential nuclear disaster. “We stopped a nuclear conflict, which could’ve led to a devastating nuclear war. Millions of lives could’ve been lost, and I’m very proud of that,” he stated.
These remarks were made following escalating tensions between Pakistan and India after a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. The attack sparked a fierce escalation, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting the militants behind the assault, a claim that Pakistan has vehemently denied.
In response, India launched airstrikes on what it claimed were militant training camps in Pakistan, but Pakistan countered that these strikes targeted civilian areas, resulting in numerous casualties. Pakistan’s retaliation involved striking 26 Indian military facilities and conducting drone operations over major Indian cities, including New Delhi.
