Trump Again Claims of Ending India-Pakistan War in Five Hours

U.S. President Donald Trump reignited controversy on Tuesday by reiterating his claim that he single-handedly prevented a nuclear war between India and Pakistan through threats of trade sanctions and tariffs. Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump recounted a conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that his ultimatum to halt trade deals and impose crippling tariffs forced both nations to agree to a ceasefire within hours.

“I spoke to a terrific man, Narendra Modi, and said, ‘What’s going on with you and Pakistan? The hatred is tremendous, going on for centuries,’” Trump stated. “I told them, ‘You’re heading toward a nuclear war. If you don’t stop, we’re not doing any trade deals, and I’ll slap tariffs so high your head will spin.’ Within five hours, it was done.” He also claimed that “seven jets or maybe more” were shot down during the conflict, without specifying which side suffered the losses.

Trump’s remarks come amid escalating tensions over his administration’s imposition of a 50% tariff on Indian goods, effective August 27, 2025, partly in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. He further boasted that his use of trade leverage has resolved seven global conflicts, including the India-Pakistan clash, which he described as “next-level” and on the brink of nuclear catastrophe. “Of the seven wars I stopped, four were because I used tariffs and trade,” Trump said, emphasizing his unconventional approach to diplomacy.

Also Read: US Draft Notice: 50% Tariffs on Indian Goods From August 27

The claims stem from a ceasefire announced on May 10, 2025, following India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. India’s precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir prompted retaliatory attacks, escalating fears of a broader conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Trump has repeatedly claimed—over 40 times since May—that his mediation, including a “long night” of U.S.-led talks, secured the ceasefire, even suggesting Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

India, however, has firmly rejected these assertions. Prime Minister Modi has stated in Parliament that no foreign leader influenced India’s decision to pause Operation Sindoor. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also emphasized that the ceasefire was negotiated directly between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, with no third-party involvement. Indian officials have dismissed Trump’s narrative as a violation of India’s stance against third-party mediation in its disputes with Pakistan.

The controversy has fueled political debate in India, with opposition leaders accusing the Modi government of succumbing to external pressure. As Trump continues to tout his role in averting a nuclear crisis, India maintains its position that the ceasefire was a bilateral achievement, underscoring the delicate balance of diplomacy and trade in South Asia’s volatile geopolitics.

Also Read: Trump Threatens "Great Consequences" if Russia, Ukraine Skip Talks