Washington [US], November 20 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has again asserted that he personally intervened to prevent India and Pakistan from approaching a nuclear confrontation, claiming he issued stern economic threats to both nations during a period of heightened tension.
Speaking at the US–Saudi Investment Forum on Wednesday, Trump said he warned New Delhi and Islamabad of severe economic consequences during an earlier episode of escalating hostility.
Trump’s remarks come months after India launched Operation Sindoor in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
“You know, I was talking about the different wars, and it’s—look, India, Pakistan, they were going to go out with nuclear weapons,” Trump said. “I told them, that’s okay, you can go at it, but I’m putting a 350 per cent tariff on each country. No more trade with the United States.”
According to Trump, one of the sides reacted in alarm, saying, “No, no, you can’t do that.”
He said he responded, “I’m going to do it. Come back to me and I’ll take it down. But I’m not going to have you guys shooting nuclear weapons at each other, killing millions of people, and having nuclear dust floating over Los Angeles. I’m not going to do it.”
He added, “They said, we don’t like that. I said, I don’t care if you like it or not.”
Trump continued, “So I was all set. I told them—350 per cent tariff to settle that war. If you don’t, we’ll make a nice trade deal.”
He then contrasted his approach with that of political rivals, saying, “No other president would have done that. Another guy, like Joe Biden, doesn’t even know what countries we’re talking about. He wouldn’t have any idea. There’d be no tariffs on anything. Just the whole world would go to hell.”
Trump claimed tariffs had been a decisive tool in resolving multiple international disputes. “Five of the eight were settled because of the economy, because of trade, because of tariffs,” he said.
He also claimed that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called him to express gratitude, allegedly saying, “President Trump saved millions and millions of lives.”
Trump added that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reached out, reportedly saying, “We’re done.” When Trump asked “Done with what?”, he claimed Modi replied, “We’re not going to go to war.”
The tense four-day confrontation between India and Pakistan ended after direct talks between the two sides. Trump later announced on social media that both countries had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” following a “long night” of US-mediated discussions.
While Trump has repeatedly said he “helped settle” the conflict, India has consistently denied any third-party involvement. Pakistan, however, has publicly credited Trump for assisting in brokering the ceasefire during the May standoff.
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