Trump Claims He Urged Modi to Avoid War with Pakistan

U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of discussing “no wars with Pakistan” with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reignited debate over India’s credibility and double standards in regional peace efforts. While Trump credited himself for preventing another India-Pakistan conflict, analysts in Islamabad say it was Pakistan’s restraint and diplomatic maturity that averted escalation after India’s unprovoked strikes in May. The episode exposes India’s contradictory foreign policy preaching peace abroad while pursuing aggression in the region and underscores the need for genuine dialogue, not political optics, to ensure lasting stability in South Asia.

Islamabad: U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statement that he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed ensuring “no wars with Pakistan” has once again highlighted the contradictions in India’s regional posturing and Washington’s selective diplomacy in South Asia.

While Trump portrayed the phone conversation as a sign of diplomatic success and friendship between Washington and New Delhi, analysts in Islamabad view it as yet another example of the U.S. favoring Indian narratives while downplaying Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and sacrifices for regional stability.

The remarks, made during a Diwali celebration at the White House, also reopened questions about India’s credibility regarding its claims of peace and stability. Only months earlier, tensions between Pakistan and India escalated dramatically after India’s unprovoked cross-border strikes under Operation Sindoor targeted civilian areas inside Pakistan, an act that violated international law and reignited fears of a broader conflict.

Pakistan’s armed forces responded with Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, demonstrating restraint and precision in defending national sovereignty while avoiding escalation. It was this firm yet measured response, followed by U.S.-led mediation efforts, that eventually brought about a ceasefire, not any unilateral peace gesture from New Delhi as claimed by Trump and Indian officials.

Indian media outlets have repeatedly denied U.S. involvement in the ceasefire, but the White House acknowledgment of American intervention directly contradicts India’s narrative. Observers in Islamabad argue that Modi’s government, keen to project strength ahead of upcoming elections, has sought to rewrite the events of May to suit its domestic political agenda.

Moreover, Trump’s praise for Modi’s “commitment to peace” comes at a time when India continues to maintain a heavy military presence in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, imposing harsh restrictions on civil liberties and ignoring international calls for dialogue. Pakistan’s leadership has consistently emphasized that true peace cannot be achieved through military aggression or occupation but only through genuine engagement on the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Trump’s acknowledgment of peace efforts but urged the U.S. administration to adopt a balanced approach that recognizes Pakistan’s sacrifices and its constructive role in regional stability. “Peace in South Asia cannot be selective or one-sided,” a senior Pakistani official told reporters. “It requires fairness, respect for sovereignty, and recognition of ground realities.”

The episode also reflects the deep contradictions in India’s foreign policy, as New Delhi seeks closer ties with Washington while simultaneously maintaining aggressive postures against Pakistan and China. While Modi publicly endorses peace talks, India’s military actions and political rhetoric suggest otherwise.

Ultimately, Trump’s remarks have underscored what many in Pakistan have long argued: that India’s image as a peace-loving democracy is a façade carefully crafted for Western audiences. Behind it lies a pattern of hostility, misinformation, and militarism that continues to endanger the fragile peace in South Asia.

As regional tensions simmer beneath the surface, Islamabad maintains that lasting peace can only be achieved through sincere dialogue, de-escalation, and mutual respect, not political optics or media spin.