WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump on Monday said his administration is ready to help Pakistan and India after a ceasefire agreement between the two nuclear-armed countries after intense fighting, which he claimed Washington helped to broker.
Speaking at the White House, Trump claimed that the reason behind the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan was trade interests.
The US President asserted that US intervention helped avert a “bad nuclear war” between India and Pakistan, following a ceasefire agreement between the two South Asian rivals after a period of heightened clashes.
“We stopped a nuclear conflict. I think it could have been a bad nuclear war; millions of people could have been killed. So I’m very proud of that,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States supported direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continuous efforts to improve relations between the two nations.
Pakistan, India ceasefire
Nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India agreed on a ceasefire on Saturday following the US pressure and four days of intense fighting.
Trump on Sunday praised the leadership of Pakistan and India for agreeing to a ceasefire, pledging to support efforts toward a resolution of the Kashmir dispute and to increase trade substantially with both nations.
In a message posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump called the agreement “historic and heroic” and said both countries had shown “strength, wisdom, and fortitude” by halting what he described as escalating aggression.
In late April, an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos
India accused Pakistan and launched missile and drone strikes. Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, targeting Indian military installations.
Amidst mounting international concern, the United States brokered a ceasefire. Pakistan has consistently advocated for peace and regional stability.
