WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he had spoken with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about avoiding future conflicts with Pakistan, describing their discussion as part of a broader push for global peace.
Speaking at a Diwali celebration at the White House, Trump said he had a “great conversation” with Modi, which included topics ranging from trade to regional stability. “We talked about trade, a lot about trade, but also about not having wars with Pakistan,” he told attendees. “I think the fact that trade was involved helped, and we have no war between Pakistan and India, which is a very good thing.”
The US president has repeatedly credited his administration with helping end the brief conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours earlier this year. India, however, has denied that Washington’s intervention led to the ceasefire, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has praised Trump’s “leadership and proactive role” in easing tensions.
Trump said Modi remained a “great friend” and was keen to see an end to the war in Ukraine. “He’s not going to buy much oil from Russia; he wants to see that war end as much as I do,” Trump claimed, adding that New Delhi had “cut back” on Russian oil purchases.
The former US president lauded his administration’s diplomatic achievements, saying the United States was “forging peace all over the world.” “We’re putting America first and getting everybody to get along,” he said. “We have total peace in the Middle East — countries that hated each other now love each other.”
Following Trump’s remarks, Modi thanked him on social media for the call and the Diwali greetings. “On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms,” he said.
Tensions between India and Pakistan flared in May after a deadly attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam prompted New Delhi to launch cross-border strikes under “Operation Sindoor,” which Islamabad said caused civilian casualties. Pakistan responded with a retaliatory offensive, “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” sparking a four-day exchange of air and artillery fire before a US-led diplomatic effort helped secure a ceasefire.
Both sides claimed to have inflicted heavy losses, with Pakistan stating it had downed six Indian fighter jets, including Rafales — a claim New Delhi denied.
In September, Prime Minister Shehbaz told the UN General Assembly that Pakistan’s air force had turned “seven Indian jets into scrap,” a remark that drew international attention. Trump later said he had “personally intervened” to prevent a wider war after “seven aircraft were shot down,” reiterating that both nations must avoid future escalation.
