New York/Washington, May 11
Former US President Donald Trump on Sunday commended the leadership of India and Pakistan for reaching a ceasefire agreement, calling it a “historic and heroic” decision that averted widespread devastation. He credited the United States for playing a key role in mediating the truce and expressed hopes for a future resolution on Kashmir.
Trump Praises “Brave” Leadership of India and Pakistan
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have led to the death and destruction of so many.”He lauded their actions as a moment of legacy-building, stating, “Millions of good and innocent people could have died! Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions.”
Pledges Trade Expansion and Offers to Mediate Kashmir Issue
Trump further announced his intent to substantially increase trade with both India and Pakistan, adding, “Even though this has not been discussed, I am going to increase trade substantially with both of these great Nations.”He also extended an offer to mediate a lasting solution to the Kashmir conflict. “I will work with you both to see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir,” Trump said.
Ceasefire Agreement Reached After Intense Diplomatic Engagement
On Saturday, Trump declared that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire following extended negotiations mediated by the US.Shortly after Trump's announcement, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan had agreed to halt all military actions across land, air, and sea, effective from 5 pm Saturday.
High-Level Talks and US Involvement
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that he and Vice President J D Vance had held extensive talks with top Indian and Pakistani leaders, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, India’s NSA Ajit Doval, and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir.“I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site,” said Rubio.
Vice President Vance echoed similar sentiments, thanking the leaders for their “hard work and willingness to engage in this ceasefire.”
Administration and Supporters Laud Trump’s Role
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised the Trump administration's peace efforts, posting on X, “This historic administration is working every day to achieve peace. The golden age is coming and it starts with peace throughout the world.”Mike Waltz, former National Security Advisor and Trump’s pick for US Ambassador to the United Nations, called the development “progress towards stability in a historically volatile region.”
The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs hailed Trump as the “President of Peace,” while far-right activist Laura Loomer suggested he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the ceasefire agreement.
Background: Rising Tensions and Diplomatic Breakthrough
The ceasefire comes in the wake of rising tensions triggered by Indian strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These strikes were a response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed over 30 people.Last month, Trump acknowledged the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, noting, “They’ve had that fight for 1,000 years... It was a bad one yesterday, though.”
With this ceasefire and promise of further dialogue, diplomatic channels between the two nations are expected to stay open in what many are calling a pivotal moment for regional peace.