In a statement made at the White House on Monday, US President Donald Trump praised his administration for playing a pivotal role in preventing a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. Trump claimed that the United States used its trade leverage to de-escalate tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, which were on the brink of full-scale aggression.
“We stopped a nuclear conflict. I think it could have been a bad nuclear war, millions of people could have been killed. So I’m very proud of that,” Trump remarked, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The US president highlighted that the historic ceasefire brokered by the US on Saturday marked a turning point in what could have been a devastating war.
Trump stated that his administration’s diplomatic intervention included the use of trade incentives to bring both countries to the negotiating table. “We helped a lot, and we also helped with trade… I said we’re gonna do a lot of trade, let’s stop it. With Pakistan. People never used trade the way I used it, and all of a sudden they said, ‘I think we are gonna stop,’” he explained.
The ceasefire was officially announced on Saturday and has since been upheld, with both India and Pakistan agreeing to halt hostilities. However, both countries remain on high alert, emphasizing the need for vigilance and caution in the wake of the truce. The Indian Army confirmed that talks were held between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGsMO) of India and Pakistan, focused on ensuring that neither side initiates aggressive actions or violates the ceasefire.
Trump’s comments follow a period of heightened tension, particularly after India carried out strikes against terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which left 26 people dead. In retaliation, Pakistan launched missile and drone attacks on Indian military targets. These hostilities sparked fears of an all-out war between the two countries, which both possess nuclear arsenals.
Trump’s intervention in the conflict has been described as a key factor in de-escalating the situation. The US president’s decision to apply trade pressure was seen as a decisive move that contributed to a rapid de-escalation of hostilities between the two nations.
Both India and Pakistan have so far adhered to the ceasefire, though tensions remain high in the region. The Indian Army has reassured the public that it is taking all necessary precautions to maintain peace along the border, stressing that dialogue will continue between the two nations to ensure the long-term stability of the region.
As of now, the situation remains fragile, and international observers will be watching closely to see if the ceasefire holds and whether further diplomatic efforts can lead to a more lasting resolution to the longstanding conflict between India and Pakistan.
Sources By Agencies