Washington: In an uncharacteristic shift from his usual rhetoric, US President Donald Trump refrained from taking credit for de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, instead praising the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir for showing restraint at a critical moment.
Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, shortly after hosting General Munir for a working lunch at the White House, Trump described both South Asian leaders as “very smart people” who made the “right call” by stepping back from what he implied could have spiraled into a catastrophic war.
“This could have been a nuclear conflict, a real big one,” Trump said, gesturing emphatically. “But they didn’t go there. I didn’t tell them what to do. I just want to thank them.”
His remarks mark a departure from previous statements, where Trump had suggested that his administration played a pivotal role in bringing about the May 10 ceasefire, which halted a series of escalating skirmishes along the Line of Control. In earlier press briefings, Trump repeatedly claimed he “helped settle” the situation and even hinted at future mediation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
On Wednesday, however, the US President was more subdued.
“We had General Munir here today, and Prime Minister Modi was here recently. We’re also talking trade, with both nations,” Trump said, before reiterating that peace between India and Pakistan could unlock broader economic opportunities with the United States.
In a video message from the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India’s decision to wind down military operations under Operation Sindoor was not influenced by external actors.
“At no point was there any discussion about US mediation or trade incentives linked to the ceasefire. This was a direct decision made by India and Pakistan through military-to-military dialogue,” Misri clarified.
He further noted that the initiative to open a ceasefire dialogue came from Pakistan, and India chose to respond through official communication channels between the two militaries.
Trump was initially expected to meet Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, but a sudden change in his travel plans cut the visit short. The two leaders instead spoke over a 35-minute phone call, their first formal conversation since the ceasefire announcement.
While Trump’s remarks about “smart people making smart decisions” may be viewed as diplomatic praise, analysts say it also signals an implicit acknowledgment that Washington did not directly broker the peace, despite earlier attempts to claim credit.
