Washington, June 6, 2025: United States President Donald Trump praised Pakistan’s leadership on Friday, describing it as “very strong” while reiterating his administration’s role in brokering a recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the German Chancellor at the White House, President Trump said, “We stopped Pakistan and India from fighting. I believe that could have turned into a nuclear disaster.” He emphasized that trade was a key diplomatic tool, noting, “We told both sides that if bullets are flying, there will be no trade.”
Trump credited the de-escalation to dialogue and firm diplomacy. “I want to thank the leaders of Pakistan and India, and I also want to thank my team. We used trade as leverage — and it worked. Both sides agreed. The fighting stopped,” he said.
Referring to the broader geopolitical climate, Trump commented on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, expressing skepticism about a peace deal. “What’s happening in Russia and Ukraine is tragic. I don’t think Russia will sign a peace agreement. The Biden administration let in some terrible people — we are now expelling them one by one,” he added.
The India-Pakistan military standoff erupted in early May following the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where 26 tourists were killed. India hastily blamed Pakistan, an allegation Islamabad firmly rejected.
In the wake of the accusation, Indian forces launched unprovoked attacks targeting civilian areas across the border. In response, Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos, a defensive campaign aimed at repelling aggression and restoring regional stability. During the confrontation, Pakistan shot down six Indian Air Force jets — including three Rafale aircraft — and neutralized multiple drones.
The 87-hour conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations came to a halt on May 10, after a ceasefire agreement was brokered by the United States.
Reaffirming his administration’s role, Trump said during a later appearance at the Saudi Arabia–U.S. Investment Forum 2025: “Just days ago, we successfully brokered a historic ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Millions of lives could have been lost. We’ve come a long way.”
Adding a lighter note, he remarked, “Maybe we can even get them together for a nice dinner. Wouldn’t that be great?”
Trump also appeared with Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the Oval Office earlier this week, where he again highlighted the ceasefire as a major foreign policy success. “We have the greatest military in the world and the greatest leaders — but we also know when to stop a war before it starts.”
