Washington: US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that his administration prevented a military confrontation between India and Pakistan by warning both countries of steep trade penalties, reiterating a position that India has consistently rejected.
During an interview with CNBC, Trump argued that tariffs had become one of his strongest diplomatic tools, asserting that they helped defuse multiple international conflicts during his tenure. According to him, the threat of imposing heavy import duties persuaded rival nations to step back from armed confrontations.
“I stopped several wars using tariffs,” Trump said, adding that India and Pakistan were among the countries where economic pressure allegedly helped prevent a larger conflict.
The US President claimed he had warned both governments that continuing hostilities would invite severe trade consequences, including tariffs of up to 200 per cent. He maintained that the possibility of such economic measures encouraged both sides to avoid further escalation.
Trump also referred to the military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, claiming the situation had reached a dangerous stage before eventually cooling down. He further stated that Pakistan’s leadership had appreciated his role in preventing a wider conflict, though he did not provide any fresh evidence to support the assertion.
His remarks come months after renewed hostilities between India and Pakistan following the terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. India had responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure across the border through precision strikes.
Despite Trump’s repeated claims of playing a mediating role, the Indian government has consistently maintained that the cessation of military action resulted solely from direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries. New Delhi has repeatedly stated that there was no third-party mediation involved and that all issues concerning Pakistan are addressed bilaterally.
Trump’s latest comments also coincide with legal challenges surrounding his trade policies in the United States. Earlier this year, the US Supreme Court ruled that his administration had exceeded its authority in using emergency powers to impose broad import tariffs, a decision that intensified domestic debate over his tariff strategy.
While Trump continues to project tariffs as an effective foreign policy instrument, India has not altered its position, reiterating that decisions relating to military de-escalation and bilateral engagement remain matters exclusively between New Delhi and Islamabad.
