US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that his threat of imposing steep tariffs on India and Pakistan helped prevent a full-scale war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Speaking at an election rally in Florida on Friday, Trump invoked the conflict that followed India's Operation Sindoor in May 2025 as he highlighted his claimed role in ending international hostilities.
Trump said both countries were on the verge of further escalation before he warned them of severe trade consequences if the fighting continued. His remarks come as campaigning gathers pace ahead of the US midterm elections.
Trump claims tariff threat stopped India-Pakistan conflict
Trump claimed he had threatened to impose tariffs of 250 per cent on both countries to persuade them to stop fighting.
"You stop India and Pakistan, two nuclear nations... I said, 'Fellas, if you guys are going to do that, you're not going to trade with the United States...I'm going to put massive tariffs on both of you, 250 per cent, so you won't be able to do any business'," Trump said.
He claimed the two countries were unhappy with his intervention but eventually stopped firing, bringing the conflict to an end.
"Eleven planes were shot. I stopped all these wars, and it's really an honour to do so..." Trump said.
He also dismissed the role of the United Nations in resolving the conflict, saying he had not contacted the international body during his efforts.
"I'd never made one phone call to the United Nations. But we got them all stopped, and a couple more left. I had no idea when I was running, I had no idea that they had so many wars," Trump said.
Trump cites wars settled, voices Nobel disappointment
The US President also expressed disappointment over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, citing what he described as his role in resolving international conflicts.
"I've settled eight wars. Did I get the Nobel Prize? No," he said.
Trump has repeatedly highlighted his claimed diplomatic interventions as evidence of his efforts to prevent or end wars. His latest comments brought the India-Pakistan confrontation into his campaign speeches.
India rejects claim of US mediation
Operation Sindoor was launched in May 2025 following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed several lives. India targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).
India has consistently rejected Trump's claim that he mediated a ceasefire with Pakistan. New Delhi has maintained that the understanding to halt military action was reached directly between the two countries.
According to India's account, military action was paused on May 10, 2025, following a request from Pakistan, after Indian strikes targeted key terrorist launchpads. The differing accounts of how hostilities ended continue to be a point of contention.