Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire with India in May despite being in a position of strength, and without the intervention of U.S. President Donald Trump, a full-blown war between the two nuclear-armed neighbors could have had catastrophic consequences, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday. UN
Speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Sharif credited Trump’s “bold and visionary leadership” for helping to de-escalate the conflict and broker peace between the long-time rivals.
“We express our deep appreciation to President Trump and his team for their active role in facilitating the ceasefire,” said Sharif, who met the U.S. president at the White House for an 80-minute conversation on bilateral relations and regional issues.
“His timely and decisive intervention helped avert what could have become a far more devastating war in South Asia,” the Pakistani prime minister said.
US says President Trump played pivotal role in ending India-Pakistan conflict
Sharif was emphasizing the point that while Pakistan was prepared for conflict and held a strategic advantage at the time, it chose peace — a decision made possible by U.S. diplomatic efforts.
“We have won the war and now we seek to win peace!”
Islamabad has been openly praising
Trump for his role in working out a ceasefire and nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize while India has been averse to acknowledging the U.S. mediation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed there was no U.S. role in the two sides agreeing to a ceasefire.
Trump says India, Pakistan have agreed to ‘immediate’ ceasefire
In his speech to the UN General Assembly, Sharif said Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues.
“South Asia requires “proactive”, rather than “provocative” leadership! India’s unilateral and illegal attempt to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance defies the provisions of the Treaty itself, as well as the norms of international law.”
Sharif said Pakistan has “made it abundantly clear—and let there be no doubt—we will definitely and ardently defend the inalienable right of our 240 million people on these waters.”
“To us, any violation of this treaty represents an act of war. Excellencies, This latest Indian aggression serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous flashpoint between two nuclear armed rivals—the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” he added.
The prime minister also expressed gratitude to friends and partners including China, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Iran, UAE, and the UN Secretary-General, for extending their diplomatic support to Pakistan at this crucial time.
He noted that the Indian aggression serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous flashpoint between two nuclear armed rivals—the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
“For nearly eighty years, India has tried to muzzle the voices of the brave sons and daughters of Kashmir. Thousands of widows, orphans and the elderly seek answers from all of us.
“When will their misery end? Who will provide them justice? Why is the international community still silent? Do the Kashmiris have no human rights? Through this august house, I wish to assure the Kashmiri people, that I stand with them, the people of Pakistan stand with them.”
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Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
