Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has once again asserted that he was instrumental in securing a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, claiming personal credit for defusing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said, “I got it done. If you look at India and Pakistan, I could say almost any of the deals I’ve made were more difficult than that one — but it happened.”
The President made the remarks when asked about the possibility of resuming his postponed meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that he would only engage if there were clear signs of progress.
‘Putin Told Me It Was Amazing’
During the interaction, Trump went on to say that Putin had personally congratulated him on his diplomatic efforts in other global conflicts, including Azerbaijan–Armenia peace talks.
“Putin told me on the phone, ‘That was amazing. Everyone tried to get that done and couldn’t,’” Trump said, adding that his mediation between India and Pakistan was one of several underappreciated diplomatic successes.
He contrasted those efforts with the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, which he described as “the hardest deal to close.”
Claim Sparks Renewed Debate
This is not the first time President Trump has claimed to have played a pivotal role in easing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. However, both India and Pakistan have in the past denied any formal U.S. mediation, maintaining that talks, if any, are conducted bilaterally.
The latest comments come months after the April Pahalgam attack, which left several Indian security personnel dead and triggered brief cross-border exchanges. While hostilities subsided soon after, neither country officially credited Washington for the de-escalation.
En Route to ASEAN Summit
Trump made the remarks while en route to Malaysia for the upcoming ASEAN Summit, with a brief stopover at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. There, he met with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who boarded the presidential aircraft for a short discussion.
White House officials described the stop as “a courtesy engagement” to reaffirm U.S.-Qatar ties ahead of the regional meeting.
Background and Context
The Pahalgam attack in April marked one of the deadliest incidents in Jammu and Kashmir this year, reigniting long-standing friction between India and Pakistan. While both nations publicly urged restraint, international observers credited quiet diplomacy — possibly involving the United States and Gulf intermediaries — for cooling tempers in the aftermath.
Still, Trump’s renewed assertion has drawn mixed reactions from foreign policy experts. Some view it as an attempt to bolster his image as a global dealmaker ahead of the 2026 U.S. elections, while others see it as a reflection of his administration’s unpredictable approach to diplomacy.
