Monitoring Desk
GYEONGJU, South Korea: United States President Donald Trump once again heaped praise on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, describing the premier as “a great guy” and the army chief as “a great fighter.”
Speaking at a luncheon during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, Trump recounted his role in de-escalating a four-day conflict between Pakistan and India earlier this year.
“I’m doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect for Prime Minister Modi,” Trump said. “Likewise, the prime minister of Pakistan is a great guy, and the general — he’s a great fighter. He really is.”
The US president claimed he called both New Delhi and Islamabad as tensions escalated and warned them that the US would suspend trade talks if they continued fighting. “I told Modi, ‘We can’t make a trade deal with you while you’re at war with Pakistan.’ I said the same thing to Pakistan. Within 48 hours, we had no war and no people killed,” Trump asserted.
Trump credited his aggressive tariff policy for the quick ceasefire, saying he had threatened to impose “250 per cent tariffs” on both sides. He told the audience that “after two days, they called and said, ‘We understand,’ and they stopped fighting.”
Earlier this month, Trump had also thanked Shehbaz Sharif and Gen Munir for their role in facilitating peace efforts in Gaza, calling both “great people.”
The May conflict between Pakistan and India was sparked by an attack on Hindu pilgrims in occupied Kashmir — which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied the allegations, calling them “fabricated and politically motivated.”
During the clashes, both sides reportedly used artillery, drones, and fighter jets, with Pakistan claiming to have downed six Indian aircraft. India acknowledged “some losses” but disputed the numbers.
Trump’s latest remarks mark the third time this month he has publicly praised Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership, while presenting himself as a key mediator in South Asian conflicts.
