US President Donald Trump claims he urged Modi to avoid war with Pakistan

Washington (Web Desk): United States (US) President Donald Trump has said that he personally told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a war with Pakistan “should not happen,” revealing that the two leaders recently discussed regional peace during a phone conversation.

Addressing a Diwali celebration at the White House on Tuesday, Trump shared that he and Modi had a “great conversation” focused primarily on trade but also touched upon the importance of avoiding military conflict with Pakistan.

 “We talked about trade — we talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade, he’s very interested in that. Although we did talk a little while ago about let’s have no wars with Pakistan,” Trump said.

He further stated, “I think the fact that trade was involved, I was able to talk about that — and we have no war with Pakistan and India and that was a very, very good thing.” Trump described Modi as “a great person” and “a great friend,” praising the Indian leader’s role in promoting peace and stability.

According to Trump, Modi also shares his desire to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. “We just have a very good relationship,” he said. “And he’s not gonna buy much oil from Russia; he wants to see that war end as much as I do — he wants to see the war end between Russia and Ukraine … so they’ve cut it way back and they’re continuing to cut it way back.”

The US president also lauded America’s efforts in “forging peace all over the world,” asserting that his administration had strengthened global harmony.

“We’re putting America first; we’re getting everybody to sort of get along,” Trump said, adding that the United States had played a major role in securing “total peace” in the Middle East. “Nobody thought we’d ever see that happening,” he remarked. “We have levels of friendship with everybody … countries that hated each other now love each other,” he added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in response, expressed his gratitude to Trump for his Diwali greetings and phone call. “On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms,” Modi wrote on X.

Earlier this year, tensions between India and Pakistan flared up sharply following an attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam in early May.

New Delhi launched “Operation Sindoor,” targeting areas inside Pakistan, which resulted in civilian casualties. India accused Pakistan of involvement without presenting any proof, escalating the already strained relations.

In retaliation, Pakistan carried out “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” leading to intense artillery and drone exchanges that lasted four days until a US-led diplomatic effort brokered a ceasefire.

During the clashes, the two countries used fighter jets, missiles, and drones, leaving dozens dead on both sides. Pakistan claimed to have destroyed six Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafales, while India acknowledged “some losses” but denied the figure.

In September, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), asserted that the Pakistan Air Force had turned “seven of the Indian jets” into wreckage.

Trump later referenced this confrontation, recounting how he engaged both countries during the crisis, which he said involved “seven aircraft shot down.”

Trump has consistently credited his intervention for defusing the Pakistan-India conflict, though New Delhi has denied that Washington played any mediating role.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly lauded Trump for his “leadership and proactive role” in helping the two neighbouring nations achieve peace in the region.