U.S. President Donald Trump claimed in his State of the Union address that he ended the India-Pakistan conflict, with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telling him that 35 million people would have died without his intervention. India has denied any U.S. involvement in the ceasefire.
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated in his State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, in Washington that he ended eight wars in his first 10 months, including the India-Pakistan conflict. He stated, "Pakistan and India would have had a nuclear war. 35 million people said the Prime Minister of Pakistan would have died if it were not for my involvement." The claim refers to the conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack in 2025, which killed 26 civilians.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, a punitive campaign to dismantle terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and inside Pakistan. Pakistan responded with drone and UCAV attacks on Indian airbases, but these were neutralized by India's air defense systems. The Indian Air Force conducted precision strikes on targets like Nur Khan Air Base and Rahimyar Khan Air Base. The hostilities ceased on May 10, 2025, after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations requested an end to military actions.
Trump has made this claim over 80 times, asserting that his administration used trade agreements and tariffs to de-escalate tensions. New Delhi maintains the ceasefire resulted from direct India-Pakistan talks with no third-party involvement. Pakistan had nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his alleged diplomatic role, but his latest remarks have embarrassed Islamabad. Trump also addressed the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran's missile developments during the speech.
