US PRESIDENT Donald Trump repeated his claim on Tuesday that he personally settled last year's war between India and Pakistan, addressing world leaders at the UN General Assembly despite New Delhi's repeated insistence that no such American mediation took place.
"Since I took office, it has been my great honor to settle eight wars, and in so doing, become friendly with the leaders of many of those countries," Trump said in his address to the General Debate of the 81st UNGA session, listing India and Pakistan alongside Cambodia-Thailand, Kosovo-Serbia, Congo-Rwanda, Armenia-Azerbaijan and Gaza among the conflicts he said he had resolved.
Trump again claims he halted India-Pakistan conflict
Trump credited his "very special relationships," along with the use and threat of tariffs, for the settlements, and claimed the leaders of the countries involved had each sent him a "letter of thank you." He said Pakistan's prime minister had told him he was "responsible for saving 30 million lives."
The claim is not new. Trump has repeated it consistently since May 10 last year, when he announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate" ceasefire following what he described as US-mediated talks.
He made the same assertion at last year's UNGA session, then criticizing the world body for failing to "even try to help" end global conflicts.
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India has pushed back on the claim every time it has been made.
New Delhi maintains that the understanding to halt hostilities was reached through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of the two countries' armed forces, and has firmly denied any third-party role in brokering the ceasefire.
The renewed claim comes as Trump used his address to escalate rhetoric on other fronts. He said his administration was "working very closely" with Russia and Ukraine to end that war, adding, "We will get that one done."
He also lambasted Iran, warning he would make a "big decision" on whether to allow a deal that lets the country "rebuild" or to "annihilate the Islamic Republic." The Iranian delegation walked out during his remarks.
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Trump also confirmed he had signed a new law granting him expanded tariff authorities, named in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, and said he would use them "if necessary."
First Lady Melania Trump, secretary of state Marco Rubio, UN ambassador Mike Waltz, treasury secretary Scott Bessent and US trade representative Jamieson Greer were present for the address.
(With inputs from agencies)
