Trump Says India-Pakistan Leaders Averted Nuclear Conflict, Credits Modi and Munir

In a notable shift from previous statements, U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that the leaders of India and Pakistan themselves decided to de-escalate tensions that could have led to a nuclear conflict, without crediting himself for the breakthrough.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office after hosting Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, for lunch at the White House, Trump said he was “honoured” to meet the top Pakistani military official. He praised both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and General Munir as “very smart people” who “decided not to keep going with that war,” referring to the post-Pahalgam attack military escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

“This could have been a nuclear war… two big, big nuclear powers,” Trump said. “But they decided that they’re not going to go further, and I respect that.”

This is the first time in weeks that Trump has refrained from claiming sole credit for halting hostilities between India and Pakistan. Since May 10, when both nations agreed to end cross-border military action following intense strikes and counterstrikes during Operation Sindoor, Trump had repeatedly asserted that he personally intervened to stop the conflict.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump again claimed, “I stopped the war… I love Pakistan. I think Modi is a fantastic man. I spoke to him last night. We’re going to make a trade deal with Modi of India.” He also emphasized the influential role played by Munir in halting the escalation.

However, Indian officials have consistently dismissed any role of a third party in the de-escalation process. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the ceasefire agreement was a result of direct military-level talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, initiated at Islamabad’s request.

“There was no discussion or offer of mediation, nor any mention of a trade deal being used as a lever,” Misri clarified in a video message from the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. He confirmed that Prime Minister Modi had a 35-minute phone conversation with Trump, during which Modi reiterated that India does not accept third-party mediation on bilateral issues with Pakistan.

Misri also said Trump had expressed support for India’s fight against terrorism and offered condolences over the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. Modi conveyed that terrorism is no longer seen as proxy warfare by India, but as a full-scale war, and confirmed that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing.

Trump reportedly invited Modi to visit Washington after the G7 Summit, but the Prime Minister declined due to prior commitments in Croatia. Both leaders, however, agreed to schedule a meeting soon.

Operation Sindoor was launched by India to target terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack. The conflict de-escalated on May 10, following an understanding between the two countries’ military leaderships.

While Trump continues to highlight his role in facilitating peace, India has reiterated its position of strategic autonomy and refusal to involve third-party mediators in its bilateral matters with Pakistan.