In a speech that quickly stirred diplomatic ripples, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he defused tensions between India and Pakistan earlier this year by threatening both countries with a massive 350% tariff. Speaking at the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum on November 19, 2025, Trump framed himself as the decisive force that kept two nuclear-armed neighbors from “going at it.”
India, however, continues to categorically deny any foreign involvement—and says its de-escalation with Pakistan happened through direct military channels alone.
Trump’s Version: “I Stopped a Nuclear War Using Tariffs”
Standing before a room filled with global investors and Saudi dignitaries, Trump presented the episode as proof of his ability to resolve international conflicts through pressure rather than diplomacy.
“I said, you can go at it, but I’m putting a 350% tariff on each country,” he told the audience, adding that he refused to allow “nuclear dust floating over Los Angeles.”
He claimed:
- both countries immediately objected,
- he prepared to impose the tariffs,
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was ready to sign off,
- and eventually, both sides stepped back.
Trump went on to say that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally thanked him for “saving millions of lives,” and that Narendra Modi called him saying, “We’re not going to go to war.”
He framed tariffs as a diplomatic tool he used to settle “five of eight” global conflicts during his term.
India’s View: A Completely Different Story
If Trump’s account is dramatic, India’s response is decidedly grounded.
New Delhi has repeatedly dismissed claims of American mediation—publicly and consistently. According to India:
- There was no U.S. intervention in the de-escalation process.
- The ceasefire understanding was reached on May 10, through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs).
- The U.S. announcement was not reflective of the actual process.
The timeline adds context:
- On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians.
- Military-level communication continued afterward.
- On May 10, both countries agreed to halt hostilities.
New Delhi insists the decision was bilateral—not brokered.
Why Trump Keeps Repeating the Claim
Since announcing on social media that Washington had helped secure a “full and immediate” ceasefire, Trump has repeated the claim over 60 times. It has now become a recurring line in speeches, interviews, and bilateral meetings—including another statement made just a day before his latest remarks.
This repetition suggests:
- a deliberate attempt to project foreign-policy strength ahead of political milestones,
- a narrative that positions tariffs as a trademark diplomatic tool,
- and a desire to show influence over two major Asian rivals.
But politically useful narratives and accurate diplomatic history are not always the same thing.
The Geopolitical Undercurrent
Trump’s remarks come at a time when:
- U.S.–India relations remain strategically important,
- Pakistan continues to rely on American goodwill,
- and global scrutiny of regional conflict remains high.
For India, acknowledging foreign mediation—especially U.S. mediation—is politically unacceptable.
For Trump, presenting himself as the man who prevented a South Asian war fits neatly into his broader storyline of tough, unconventional diplomacy.
It is a classic clash of political messaging versus official state positions.