US President Donald Trump has once again stirred diplomatic debate by claiming credit for “stopping hostilities” between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year. Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Malaysia, Trump told reporters, “I got it done (ceasefire). There are others. If you look at India and Pakistan…” a statement that has drawn attention in Islamabad, where officials have long acknowledged Washington’s quiet role in de-escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Detailed Analysis (From Pakistan’s Perspective):
Donald Trump’s latest remarks have once again spotlighted Washington’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy in South Asia particularly in preventing another military escalation between India and Pakistan earlier this year. Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, the former US President claimed personal credit for helping broker peace between the two rivals, saying:
“I got it done (ceasefire). There are others. If you look at India and Pakistan. I could say almost any one of the deals that I’ve already done I thought would have been more difficult than Russia and Ukraine, but it didn’t work out that way.”
Trump made these comments while responding to a question about the possibility of resuming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose earlier meeting with him remains indefinitely suspended. The former US President claimed that Putin himself had praised him for resolving complex international disputes, including those between Azerbaijan and Armenia, adding that the Russia–Ukraine war remains the toughest challenge to peace.
“Putin told me on the phone he said, ‘Boy, that was amazing’ because everybody tried to get that done and they couldn’t,” Trump remarked, referring to his earlier mediation efforts.
Regional Context and Pakistan’s Response:
In Islamabad, Trump’s comments have revived discussions about US involvement in diffusing India–Pakistan tensions, particularly after the April Pahalgam incident, which saw a sharp escalation in rhetoric and military posturing across the Line of Control (LoC). While both sides had downplayed foreign mediation at the time, diplomatic sources confirm that Washington and Riyadh played key roles in urging restraint and facilitating backchannel communication.
For Pakistan, Trump’s acknowledgment aligns with its longstanding position that international mediation is essential to prevent regional crises from spiraling out of control — especially given the volatile nature of the Kashmir dispute. While New Delhi has consistently rejected third-party involvement, Islamabad has welcomed any constructive engagement that promotes peace and stability in South Asia.
Broader Diplomatic Agenda:
Trump’s remarks came as he departed for a three-nation Asian tour — including Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea — aimed at advancing US economic and security interests in the region. During his stop at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Trump met Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, signaling continued US engagement in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
While addressing reporters, Trump also spoke on the fragile Middle East ceasefire, warning Hamas of “serious consequences” if the truce with Israel is violated.
“I think it (ceasefire) will hold. Well, if it doesn’t hold, it’s Hamas. Hamas will not be hard to deal with very quickly,” he said, projecting confidence in his peace efforts across multiple regions.
Analysis: A Pattern of Self-Credited Diplomacy
Trump’s assertion of having “got it done” regarding India and Pakistan fits his broader pattern of self-attributed diplomatic success stories, from Korea to the Middle East. Yet, his remarks carry renewed relevance for Pakistan, where stability along the border with India remains critical amid ongoing domestic and regional challenges.
Analysts in Islamabad view Trump’s comments as both a reminder of Washington’s continuing influence in regional affairs and a subtle acknowledgment that Pakistan remains a pivotal player in South Asian security architecture.
While official reactions from Islamabad and New Delhi are yet to emerge, Trump’s statement once again underscores that even in an era of shifting alliances, the India–Pakistan equation continues to capture the attention of global powers — and remains one of the world’s most sensitive diplomatic balances.
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