United States President Donald Trump has once again stated that he played a decisive role in stopping a conflict between India and Pakistan, repeating his assertion that eight aircraft were shot down during the escalation last year. Trump has reiterated this claim numerous times, saying he intervened to prevent the situation from turning into a major war between the two nuclear armed neighbours.
In an interview with media on Thursday, Trump said he had helped put an end to several conflicts around the world. Referring to tensions in different regions, he remarked that he had stopped eight wars, even jokingly adding a fraction more due to renewed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. He added that, in theory, one should receive a Nobel Prize for each war that is brought to an end.
Speaking about South Asia, Trump claimed that India and Pakistan were on the brink of a large scale confrontation. He said the situation was extremely serious, involving two nuclear capable nations, and asserted that his intervention helped stop the conflict. He again repeated that eight planes were downed during the fighting and described the episode as a major crisis that he helped resolve.
The escalation followed India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The operation was carried out in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians. After four days of intense cross border drone and missile exchanges, India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end hostilities. India has consistently maintained that the cessation of hostilities was achieved bilaterally and has rejected claims of any third party mediation.
Trump also said he had helped end a long running conflict between Congo and Rwanda, which he claimed had lasted for nearly three decades. He said stopping such wars gave him personal satisfaction because, in his view, it helped save millions of lives rather than bringing recognition through awards.
During the interview, Trump was also asked about Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who last year dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to him and reportedly expressed a desire to hand over the honour to Trump for what she described as liberating her country. Trump said he had heard she was expected to visit soon and that such a gesture would be a great honour.
He further commented that not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize had been a source of embarrassment for Norway, where the Nobel committee is based. Trump suggested that given the number of conflicts he claims to have resolved, he deserved recognition, adding that if someone stops eight wars, they should theoretically receive one prize for each.
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