Washington, DC [US]: US President Donald Trump claimed that his administration played a pivotal role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, helping avert what he described as a potentially catastrophic nuclear conflict.
Speaking at a press briefing from the White House, Trump said:
“We stopped a nuclear conflict. I think it could have been a bad nuclear war. Millions of people could have been killed.”
Trump credited the success of the diplomatic efforts to his administration’s strategic leverage, particularly in trade negotiations, and praised the involvement of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“On Saturday, my administration helped broker an immediate cessation of hostilities—I think a permanent one—between India and Pakistan, countries having a lot of nuclear weapons,” Trump asserted.
Trade as a Diplomatic Tool
Trump emphasized how trade diplomacy played a key role in persuading both nations to de-escalate.
“I’m very proud to let you know that the leadership of India and Pakistan was unwavering and powerful… We helped a lot. I told them, ‘We’re going to do a lot of trade with you guys. If you stop it [the conflict], we’re doing trade. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade.’”
Cessation and Violation
According to reports, the cessation of hostilities followed a conversation between the Pakistani Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) and his Indian counterpart, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai. Pakistan’s DGMO reportedly proposed an end to the hostilities, which India accepted. A ceasefire was agreed upon, effective from 5:00 pm on May 10.
However, Indian military officials reported that the truce was violated within hours, with Pakistan allegedly resuming cross-border shelling and drone intrusions.
“The cessation was short-lived,” Lt. Gen. Ghai confirmed, citing renewed aggression by Pakistani forces shortly after the agreement came into effect.
Background: Operation Sindoor
Tensions escalated sharply after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure facilities located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). The operation came in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 civilians, including a Nepali national.
In the days following Operation Sindoor, cross-border violence surged, with both sides engaging in artillery exchanges and airspace violations.
Nuclear Concerns and Global Diplomacy
India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, have a history of military skirmishes and three major wars since 1947. The possibility of escalation into a full-scale nuclear conflict has often been a central concern for the international community.
Trump’s statement revives discussion on the role of global powers in mediating South Asian tensions, particularly in moments of crisis where nuclear risks loom large.