WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump has again spoken about his role in defusing the military escalation between Pakistan and India earlier this year, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif phoned him to thank him for “saving millions of lives” after rising tensions threatened to spiral into a major conflict.
Addressing the US–Saudi Investment Forum on Wednesday, Trump said the May standoff — triggered after an attack on tourists in Indian illegally occupied Kashmir, which Islamabad denied any link to — was resolved only after Washington warned both sides of severe economic consequences. The conflict was the most serious escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours in more than 25 years.
Trump told the audience he had threatened to impose a 350 percent tariff on both Pakistan and India if they continued escalating. “I said that’s okay, you can go at it, but I’m putting a 350 percent tariff on each country. No more trade with the United States,” Trump said, recounting the moment.
He added that both sides backed down, saying they “came back quickly” to avoid such penalties.
The US president said Pakistan’s prime minister later contacted him to acknowledge the impact of his intervention. “He actually said I saved millions — he said, ‘President Trump saved millions and millions of lives’,” Trump told the gathering, referring to a comment made in the presence of his chief of staff, Susie Wiles.
Trump also said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi phoned to say New Delhi would not pursue further conflict. “I said, ‘Thank you very much. Let’s make a deal’,” he added.
During his remarks, Trump again referred to his role in helping end multiple global crises, including disputes he said he settled by threatening tariffs. He also revisited his claim of brokering an outline of a peace arrangement for Gaza in October.
Turning to the Russia–Ukraine conflict, Trump said he was disappointed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had not moved toward ending the war, despite what he described as a previously strong rapport.
Trump added that the Saudi crown prince had requested US help regarding Sudan, and signalled that Washington would now turn its attention to the issue.
The May escalation between Pakistan and India, in which Trump has repeatedly claimed several aircraft were downed, ended with a ceasefire he says he helped secure. New Delhi, however, has publicly disputed the extent of Washington’s involvement in ending the standoff.
Pakistan achieved a decisive “military success” over India during their four-day confrontation in May 2025, according to a recent report submitted to the US Congress.
The report finding marks one of the most explicit acknowledgements from a Washington body regarding Pakistan’s battlefield success in the conflict.
The assessment appears in the 2025 Report to Congress by the US–China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC).
The body reviews the national security implications of the bilateral economic and strategic relationship between the United States and China.
The report describes the 7–10 May conflict as “Pakistan’s military success” and states that Islamabad maintained an advantage throughout the clash. This is the first time any US institution has described the conflict in such terms.
The commission, in its report, stated Pakistan’s success “showcased Chinese weaponry” and drew global attention to Beijing’s expanding military partnership with Islamabad.
The USCC noted that, during the conflict, Pakistan used Chinese-made HQ-9 air defence systems, PL-15 air-to-air missiles and J-10 fighter aircraft in what became the first real-world combat test for several of these platforms.
According to the report, Pakistan downed Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets. Islamabad initially claimed that it shot down five Indian planes and later raised the tally to seven, including Rafales.
Pakistan said it suffered no aircraft losses of its own. India did not release an official count of its losses.
