WASHINGTON, — US President Donald J. Trump has claimed that his direct intervention prevented a possible armed conflict between Pakistan and India, saying he warned Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, that continued hostilities would trigger crippling US tariffs and the suspension of trade agreements.
According to BBC Urdu, Trump recounted during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday what he described as a tense exchange with Modi during a period of heightened military tensions between the two nuclear‑armed neighbors.
Donald Trump said that during the military confrontation between India and Pakistan, he told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that if the war continued, the United States would impose such high tariffs that he would be greatly troubled.
Trump noted that at the time, the US was already preparing to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods, a measure that has been in effect since August 27. He said he pressed Modi on the longstanding hostility with Pakistan, remarking that the animosity had persisted “for a long time under different names.”
BBC Urdu reported that the president also claimed his warnings compelled Pakistan to back down. “You guys are going to have a nuclear war,” he recalled telling both sides. “Call me back tomorrow, but remember, we’re not going to do a trade deal with you guys.” He asserted that within five hours of that conversation, the situation had de‑escalated.
Trump added that if tensions flare again, the US would be prepared to halt any trade negotiations.
He also criticized India for purchasing large quantities of Russian crude oil, accusing it of profiting by reselling to other countries. India’s government rejected the criticism, calling it “unfair and illogical” and arguing that Western nations were themselves trading with Moscow while applying double standards to New Delhi.