New York/Washington, Jun 19 (PTI) — In a recent statement, U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged the decision of India and Pakistan's leaders to avoid escalating a conflict that risked becoming nuclear. This marks the first instance in weeks where Trump refrained from asserting credit for the cessation of hostilities between the two nations.
The comments were made in the Oval Office, following a meeting with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, whom Trump hosted for lunch. He expressed his honor in meeting Munir.
When questioned about discussions on Iran with Munir, Trump noted, “They are very familiar with Iran, possibly more so than most, and they are unhappy with the situation. Although they aren't adversarial towards Israel, they understand both nations well. However, they likely have more acquaintance with Iran and see the developments, and he concurred with me.”
Trump further remarked on the motive behind their meeting, stating, “I invited him here to express my gratitude for their choice against waging war. Both Prime Minister Modi, who departed recently, and I are negotiating trade deals with India and Pakistan.”
He praised the wisdom of both nations' leaders and their teams for opting not to prolong the conflict, which had the potential to elevate into a nuclear war, emphasizing that the countries possess significant nuclear capabilities.
Previously, since the end of hostilities, Trump had frequently claimed to have played a pivotal role in resolving the tension, mentioning that he proposed enhanced trade relations with both India and Pakistan if they halted the conflict.
Simultaneously, in a statement from Islamabad, the Pakistan army expressed the presence of Secretary of State Senator Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs, during Trump's meeting with Munir. Accompanying Munir was Lt Gen Asim Malik, Pakistan's National Security Advisor and the head of ISI. The meeting, initially set for an hour, extended over two. Discussions spanned various sectors, including trade, technology, and cryptocurrency.
The Pakistan Army conveyed their government's gratitude towards Trump's impactful role in facilitating peace between India and Pakistan, expressing interest in a robust trade partnership with the U.S.
Additionally, Munir extended an invite to Trump for a visit to Pakistan at a later date.
Before the luncheon, a scheduled meeting between Modi and Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, was canceled due to Trump's early return to Washington. However, the two leaders engaged in a 35-minute phone call prior to Trump's departure.
India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, stated from Kananaskis that there was no conversation about an India-U.S. trade deal or U.S. mediation during Operation Sindoor. The resolution was a direct initiative between India and Pakistan at Islamabad's request. Modi reiterated India's firm stance against third-party mediation, a viewpoint supported politically across India.
This phone call marked the first direct communication between the two leaders since April. Trump showed support for India's anti-terror efforts and requested Modi to visit the U.S. Although unable due to prior engagements, Modi was headed to Croatia after his tour in Cyprus.
Earlier Wednesday, Trump praised Modi, referring to him as “a fantastic man”, asserting again his influence in preventing an Indo-Pak conflict.
Addressing his diplomatic aspirations during his interaction with Munir, Trump credited Munir as “hugely influential” in preventing escalation from the Pakistan side.
After India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, a brief period of hostilities ensued, culminating in an agreement on May 10, ending intense cross-border engagements.
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