Web Desk; US President Donald Trump on Wednesday once again lauded Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, acknowledging their role in ending the four-day conflict between India and Pakistan in May.
Speaking at a luncheon during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump recalled how he intervened to de-escalate the tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
“I’m doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and love for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have a great relationship,” Trump said. “Likewise, the prime minister of Pakistan is a great guy, and the Field Marshal — he’s a great fighter and a great guy too.”
He described how he received reports of both countries engaging in intense fighting, saying, “Seven planes were shot down, and they were really starting to go at it. These are two nuclear nations.”
Trump claimed that he called both Modi and Pakistan’s leadership to urge restraint. “I told Modi, we can’t make a trade deal with you if you’re starting a war with Pakistan. And I told Pakistan the same — we can’t trade while you’re fighting India. Both of them wanted to fight, but after two days they called back and said they understood — and the fighting stopped.”
He humorously imitated Modi during the speech, calling him “the nicest looking guy” but also “a killer” and “tough as hell.” Trump credited his firm stance and tariff threats for halting the conflict, saying, “I said I’d impose 250 percent tariffs on both countries. Within 48 hours, the war stopped — no one was killed.”
The conflict in May was triggered by an attack on Hindu tourists in occupied Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan without presenting evidence. Pakistan denied any involvement, calling India’s claims fabricated and politically motivated.
During the four-day clash, both sides used fighter jets, artillery, and drones, resulting in multiple casualties. Pakistan claimed it downed six Indian jets, including Rafales, while India admitted to “some losses” but denied losing that many aircraft.
Months later, PM Shehbaz told the UN General Assembly that the Pakistan Air Force had “turned seven Indian jets into scrap,” echoing Trump’s remarks about the incident.
