WASHINGTON, D.C. — Speaking before a joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump revisited the high-tension military standoff of May 2025, claiming he used the threat of 200% tariffs to force both nations to the negotiating table. Trump’s remarks—his 80th such claim in recent months—have once again ignited a diplomatic debate over the true nature of the May 10 ceasefire.
The Claim: Nuclear Prevention and “35 Million People”
Trump’s rhetoric escalated on the SOTU stage as he framed the stakes of the 2025 confrontation in apocalyptic terms.
- The Nuclear Threat: “Pakistan and India would have been in a nuclear war,” Trump told lawmakers, adding that his “tough-on-trade” stance was the deciding factor.
- Saving the PM: In one of the night’s more striking lines, Trump stated, “35 million people said the Prime Minister of Pakistan (Shehbaz Sharif) would have died if it were not for my involvement.”
- The Leverage: The President reiterated that he warned both New Delhi and Islamabad that all trade deals would be scrapped and massive tariffs applied unless hostilities ceased immediately.
Background: The May 2025 Standoff
The President was referring to the fallout from the Pahalgam terror attack (26 civilians killed), which triggered India’s “Operation Sindoor.”
- The Strikes: India conducted targeted strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and mainland Pakistan.
- The Escalation: Hostilities included aerial dogfights and cross-border shelling, leading to fears of a runaway escalation.
- The Ceasefire: On May 10, 2025, both nations agreed to a “ceasefire understanding.”
New Delhi’s Stance: No Third Party
Despite Trump’s repeated assertions, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has remained steadfast in its rebuttal.
- Direct Dialogue: New Delhi maintains that the May 10 understanding was the result of direct, bilateral communication between the military and diplomatic channels of India and Pakistan.
- Sovereignty: India has historically rejected any third-party mediation on issues involving Pakistan, particularly Kashmir-related tensions.
Fact Check: Trump’s “Board of Peace” vs. Diplomatic Reality
| Trump’s Assertion | Official Diplomatic Record |
| Mediation: Trump claims he brokered the deal via tariff threats. | Bilateralism: India asserts the deal was reached through direct DGMO talks. |
| Nuclear War: Claims a nuclear exchange was imminent. | Managed Escalation: Analysts suggest both sides kept “off-ramps” open throughout. |
| Air Losses: Trump has cited varying figures of jets shot down. | Verified Data: Only limited specific losses were confirmed by both air forces. |