US President Donald Trump has again taken credit for averting a nuclear war—this time between Pakistan and India. Speaking at a press appearance with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Monday (July 14), Trump stated that his government prevented a nuclear war between the two South Asian arch-rivals. He asserted that the confrontation “would have been a nuclear war within another week” if not for him. Trump attributed his trade diplomacy for pushing both parties to take a step back.
The comments are made months after India initiated Operation Sindoor after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the loss of 26 civilians’ lives. India accused Pakistan of failing to disband terror infrastructure on its territory and initiated the military campaign as a retaliatory exercise. Trump has made this assertion in the past as well, but India and Pakistan have provided different explanations and have not publicly endorsed his account.
Trump Repeats War Claims at NATO Meeting
Addressing alongside NATO’s Mark Rutte, Trump stated, “We have been very successful in ending wars. India and Pakistan would have been in a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. That was going very badly.
He went on to say, “We did that by way of trade. I told them we’re not going to have a conversation about trade unless you work out this thing. And they did. They are great leaders.
Trump also mentioned other international wars, such as those in Rwanda and Congo. He quoted the long-lasting war in Central Africa and said his government “got that one solved,” although there were years of violence and the loss of nearly 7 million individuals.
India’s Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s Silence
The tensions heightened following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the killing of 26 civilians. Following this, India initiated Operation Sindoor against terror camps that were claimed to be functioning across the Line of Control.
India Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, at a press conference, described the operation as imperative. “It was felt necessary that the perpetrators and conspirators behind the 22 April attack be apprehended,” he declared.
Misri also emphasized Pakistan’s inaction. “Even after a fortnight since the attacks, there has been no discernible move from Pakistan towards acting against terror infrastructure on its soil or under its control.”
No Evidence for Trump’s Assertion
Both countries have remained silent or neutral in public regarding Trump’s repeated assertions. Neither India nor Pakistan officially attributed Trump with diffusing tensions in 2025.
India has repeatedly asserted its sovereign decision-making in trans-border issues. Pakistan also has not confirmed Trump’s participation in any de-escalation.
Familiar Trump Pattern
This is not the first time Trump has made outlandish claims about facilitating peace. His earlier assertions of mediating the Kashmir conflict were repudiated by India.
Trump’s recent comments, made in front of a key NATO ally, appear aimed at bolstering his global diplomatic credentials. But once again, the two countries involved have chosen not to echo his narrative.
