Introduction
In a dramatic late-night press conference, US President Donald Trump claimed credit for preventing a potential nuclear war between India and Pakistan following India’s launch of Operation Sindoor. Referring to the crisis as one that “could have been a bad nuclear war,” Trump credited his administration with brokering a ceasefire and subtly threatened to use trade leverage to end the conflict.
1. Trump Claimed He Stopped a Nuclear War
Trump didn’t mince words when he said, “It could have been a bad nuclear war, where millions of people could have been killed.” He painted a dire picture of the conflict, emphasizing the nuclear capabilities of both India and Pakistan and calling the situation “hot and heavy.”
2. “We Used Trade Like Never Before”
Going off-script, Trump suggested that the US leveraged trade as a key negotiating tool. “I said, come on, we’re going to do a lot of trade with you guys, both countries… if you don’t stop, we’re not going to do any trade,” he claimed. However, Indian government sources later denied that trade was discussed during high-level calls.
3. PM Modi Rejects ‘Nuclear Blackmail’
Responding just an hour later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a firm statement, saying, “India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail.” Modi framed Operation Sindoor not just as a military action but as a new policy doctrine: “India will strike wherever terror bases are located.”
4. Ceasefire Isn’t Permanent, Modi Warns
While Trump celebrated what he called a “permanent” ceasefire, PM Modi contradicted that characterization. “The strikes are not over, they have only been suspended after Pakistan promised action against terrorists,” he stated, warning that future strikes could resume if Pakistan failed to follow through.
5. US Officials Played Key Roles
Trump credited Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for securing the ceasefire. According to Indian sources, Vance spoke to Modi on May 9, and Rubio engaged with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval on multiple occasions between May 8–10.
Operation Sindoor: A New Doctrine
Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor was India’s retaliatory response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead. India struck nine terror camps across Pakistan and PoK, eliminating over 100 terrorists and dismantling infrastructure linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Modi emphasized that Operation Sindoor marked a doctrinal shift: “We will not differentiate between governments and terrorists when retaliating.”
Conclusion
While Trump touts a diplomatic victory, India’s leadership remains cautious. PM Modi made it clear that India’s restraint is conditional and temporary. The global community will be watching closely as India monitors Pakistan’s actions in the coming days. Whether this ceasefire holds—or resets the rules of engagement—remains to be seen.
For more details, read the original NDTV report on Trump’s press conference.
