Trump Claims He Averted Nuclear War Between India and Pakistan with Trade Threats

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump once again claimed credit for defusing a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan in May, boasting that he used the threat of harsh trade tariffs to bring both countries back from the brink. Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said he personally called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later contacted Pakistani officials to ease the rising tensions. “I was talking to a terrific man—Modi of India. I asked him, ‘What’s going on between you and Pakistan?’ Then I reached out to Pakistan and said, ‘What’s happening with India?’” Trump said, referring to the long-standing hostility between the two South Asian neighbors. “This has been going on for a long time—sometimes under different names—for hundreds of years,” he added. India and Pakistan became independent nations in 1947 after nearly two centuries of British colonial rule. Before that, they were part of the same country. According to Trump, his intervention played a key role in stopping a potential escalation. “I told Pakistan, ‘We’re not making a trade deal with you. You’re heading toward nuclear war. If you don’t stop, we’ll impose tariffs so high your head will spin.’ I told them to call me back in 24 hours. Within five hours, it was done. No war,” he claimed. “Maybe it’ll start again, but if it does, I’ll stop it.” Trump Repeats Downed Jets Claim Trump also repeated his earlier claim that seven or more fighter jets were shot down during the escalation. “I saw they were fighting, and then seven jets were downed. That’s not good. These are $150 million planes,” he said. Previously, Trump had mentioned five jets but now insists the real number was higher—and underreported. “I’ve stopped all these wars. A big one would’ve been India and Pakistan,” Trump said during a separate meeting with South Korea’s President on Monday. “They were on the verge of a nuclear war. I told them, ‘You’ve got 24 hours to stop, or there’ll be no trade with you.’ And suddenly, they said, ‘There’s no war anymore.’” This isn’t the first time Trump has claimed to have intervened in India–Pakistan tensions. Back in July, he said his involvement came at a “crucial moment” after a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. White House Backs Trump’s Role Just a day before Trump’s remarks, the White House praised his foreign policy, crediting it with helping secure a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, a May 7 Indian military operation targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed to India–Pakistan tensions as an example of Trump’s effective conflict management. However, India has repeatedly denied any third-party mediation. Officials say the ceasefire agreement came directly through military channels when Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart on May 10. Terror Group Designated The May 7 Pahalgam attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), killed 26 civilians. On June 17, the U.S. designated TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the group is responsible for multiple attacks, including the one on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed the U.S. move, calling TRF a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba and describing the designation as a strong example of India–U.S. counter-terrorism cooperation. U.S. Slaps India with 50% Tariffs Meanwhile, the U.S. is set to impose a steep 50% tariff on certain Indian goods starting Wednesday, the highest in Asia. This move comes as Trump seeks to penalize New Delhi for continuing to import Russian oil. The new tariffs—double the 25% duty imposed earlier this month—are expected to strain India–U.S. ties further, following years of growing strategic and economic cooperation. Two White House notices on Monday and Tuesday confirmed the decision, indicating that no last-minute relief is expected, especially as Trump’s separate efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war remain stalled. Modi Responds: “We Will Bear the Pressure” Responding to the rising pressure from Washington, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to India’s farmers, small-scale industries, and local producers. “I won’t compromise on the interests of our farmers, cattle rearers, and small businesses,” Modi said at a public event in Ahmedabad. “The pressure on us may rise, but we will endure it.” Modi also called on citizens to support locally made products. “We should all follow the mantra of buying only 'Made in India' goods. Business owners should proudly display signs saying they sell only Indian-made products,” he urged. Later that evening, Modi held a massive roadshow in Ahmedabad, stating, “I feel fortunate to receive the love and blessings of lakhs of people.”

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