Trump Repeats Claim That He Averted India-Pakistan Conflict Using Trade as Leverage

Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated his assertion that his administration played a key role in preventing a potential military conflict between India and Pakistan, which he warned could have escalated into a nuclear crisis.

Image Source: POTUS Trump on X

Speaking at a press conference in the Oval Office alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk—who is stepping down from his advisory role in the Department of Government Efficiency—Trump said, “We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting. I believe that could have turned into a nuclear disaster.”

Trump credited diplomatic pressure and trade discussions for de-escalating tensions between the two South Asian neighbors. “We talked trade, and we said, ‘We can’t trade with people that are shooting at each other and potentially using nuclear weapons,’” he remarked.

He also acknowledged the role of both governments in diffusing the situation. “I want to thank the leaders of India, the leaders of Pakistan, and I want to thank my people also,” Trump added.