US President Donald Trump once again claimed he helped reduce tensions between India and Pakistan on Sunday. This time, he brought up his past role while discussing a recent conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
Speaking about Southeast Asia, Trump said the United States has strong trade ties with both Thailand and Cambodia. He claimed he personally contacted their prime ministers and warned them about halting trade deals if they didn’t stop the fighting.
“We do a lot of trade with Thailand and Cambodia. Yet I’m reading that they’re killing each other,” Trump said. “I say this should be an easy one for me because I settled India and Pakistan. I called the Prime Ministers of each (Thailand and Cambodia) and I said, ‘We’re not going to make a trade deal unless you settle the war.’ By the time I got off the phone, I think they want to settle now.”
Claims about India and Pakistan ceasefire
Trump repeated that his trade pressure worked during a past standoff between India and Pakistan.
“India and Pakistan were really getting ready to go at it. So getting those things settled—and if I can use trade to do that—then it’s my honour,” he said.
Trump has made similar claims in the past. He often credits himself for pushing both countries to step back by asking US officials to stop all trade deals with them. He believes that pressure helped avoid a serious conflict.
“We did some great work—India and Pakistan. That was close to being nuclear. We handled it. We did a lot,” he had told reporters earlier. “I don’t know if any president has done more.”
Trump cites same approach in other regions
Trump also said he used the same strategy with other countries. For example, he claimed that his threat to stop trade deals helped prevent a war between Serbia and Kosovo.
“Serbia and Kosovo were going to go at it. I said, ‘You go at it, there’s no trade with the United States.’ That’s what happened with India and Pakistan. I told (Treasury Secretary) Scott (Bessent) and (Commerce Secretary) Howard (Lutnick), ‘Cancel all deals with India and Pakistan. They’re not trading with us while they’re at war.’”
India rejects Trump’s version
However, Indian officials have consistently denied Trump’s claims.
According to them, the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, reached on May 10 after four days of drone and missile strikes, was the result of direct talks. Military leaders from both countries—specifically the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs)—held discussions to de-escalate the situation. Indian sources said Pakistan initiated the talks.
Moreover, India has always stated that its issues with Pakistan are bilateral.
During a recent phone call, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded Trump of India’s firm stance. Modi said all matters with Pakistan are “strictly bilateral” and that “India does not and will never accept third-party mediation.”