Washington (Rajeev Sharma): At a global summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, US President Donald Trump on Monday praised India as a “great country” under the leadership of “a very good friend of mine,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His remarks came during a broader discussion about the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, signaling a brief but optimistic moment in his diplomatic rhetoric.
Trump, while addressing world leaders after the ceasefire deal in Gaza, noted that he believes India and Pakistan will soon “get along very well.” With Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif standing just behind him, the US president appeared to affirm the potential for peace between the two long-time adversaries, saying, “India is a great country, led by a very good friend of mine. He’s done a fantastic job. I think Pakistan and India will get along very well.”
Trump’s comments came in the midst of a summit meant to discuss global conflicts, with the backdrop of his perceived success in brokering peace agreements around the world. As he acknowledged Sharif and Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, he extended an invitation to the Pakistani leader to address the gathering. Sharif, in return, credited Trump’s “tireless efforts” for establishing peace in West Asia, referring to the broader geopolitical landscape affected by the recent Israel-Gaza conflict.
Though Trump claims to have been instrumental in facilitating the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, India’s official stance has consistently rejected the notion of foreign mediation. India has maintained that the cessation of hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, announced in 2020, came as a result of direct dialogue between military leaders from both countries. Trump’s claim to have “resolved” the India-Pakistan dispute has been viewed with skepticism in New Delhi.
Nevertheless, the US president’s diplomatic narrative includes his self-professed role in resolving multiple global disputes. Trump has touted his achievements in brokering peace, claiming that he has helped resolve seven international conflicts. With the ceasefire in Gaza now added to that list, he now counts eight such agreements. His optimism about India’s role in regional peace, as well as his remarks about improved Indo-Pakistani relations, align with his broader vision of playing a key role in resolving international tensions.
While Trump’s praise of India and Modi was unmistakable, his comments on the future of India-Pakistan relations remain speculative. The longstanding discord between the two countries, particularly over issues such as Kashmir and cross-border terrorism, has made lasting peace a challenging prospect, regardless of external mediation.
As the world grapples with ongoing conflicts, Trump’s remarks are a reminder of the continuing complexities in South Asia, where the US president’s optimism clashes with the region’s deeply rooted political realities.
