Trump Praises India’s Leadership, Expresses Optimism on India-Pakistan Relations

Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt), October 13: US President Donald Trump, while refraining from directly naming India or Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lauded the country’s leadership during a global leaders’ summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

As per agency report, Trump described India as a great nation led by one of his very good friends, expressing confidence that India and Pakistan would be able to coexist peacefully. Referring to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was standing behind him at the event, Trump said that India was a great country under the leadership of a remarkable friend who had done an excellent job. He added that he believed both Pakistan and India would get along very well together.

Before this, Trump had praised Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, inviting the Pakistani leader to address the gathering. Sharif, in his remarks, credited President Trump’s tireless efforts for helping restore peace in the Middle East.

Trump has previously claimed to have resolved seven major international disputes, including the conflict between India and Pakistan. By including the recent Israel-Gaza ceasefire agreement, he said the number of such resolutions had now increased to eight.

On May 10, Trump had announced on social media that, under American mediation, India and Pakistan had agreed to a “complete and immediate” ceasefire. He has reiterated on several occasions that he played a role in helping both countries resolve their conflict.

However, India has consistently maintained that the understanding to end hostilities with Pakistan emerged through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two armies, not through any third-party intervention.