After weeks of publicly claiming that he “stopped a war” between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump has shifted his tone, now giving credit directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday following a lunch meeting with General Munir, Trump said, “I’m so happy that two smart people decided not to keep going with that war… That could have been a nuclear war. Those are two nuclear powers, big ones, big, big nuclear powers, and they decided that.”
Significantly, Trump did not position himself as the central peacemaker—a departure from his earlier narrative. Since May 10, when India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following heightened tensions after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Trump had repeatedly claimed personal credit, citing his diplomacy and the appeal of US trade deals as instrumental in de-escalation. He famously declared, “I stopped the war.”
Shift After Modi-Trump Phone Call
The change in tone came just hours after a 35-minute phone conversation between Trump and PM Modi. Indian officials, speaking from the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, dismissed any claims of foreign mediation.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri quoted PM Modi as saying: “India has never accepted mediation nor would it ever accept it. We have complete political unanimity on this.” He also emphasized that no trade deals or US involvement were discussed or factored into India’s military decisions under Operation Sindoor, the country’s robust retaliation following the terror attack.
According to Indian officials, the decision to cease hostilities came after Pakistan suffered major damage to nine of its airbases and reached out for a ceasefire through pre-existing military channels, not due to external pressure.
Modi’s Firm Message, Trump’s Subtle Climbdown
Just hours before his Oval Office statement, Trump had again claimed he “stopped the war.” But the softened rhetoric—praising PM Modi and General Munir as “very smart people” and acknowledging their decisions—indicates a subtle walk-back, likely influenced by India’s diplomatic pushback and transparency.
Observers say this evolution in Trump’s language reflects a need to recalibrate the US narrative after India’s firm rebuttal. Analysts note that global diplomats and fact-checkers will be closely monitoring whether Trump continues this revised tone or returns to his earlier self-congratulatory framing.
Poll: What Do You Think?
Do you believe President Trump’s claims about stopping the war are justified?
🔘 Yes, he played a crucial role
🔘 No, it was primarily India and Pakistan’s decision
As New Delhi reiterates that the credit for preventing further escalation lies solely with India and Pakistan, the world is watching how long the White House maintains this more balanced version of events.
