After Sharif’s ‘war’ remark, Trump calls his speech ‘beautiful’, praises Modi as a ‘good friend’

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday credited former US President Donald Trump for “stopping a war” between India and Pakistan, calling him “a man of peace” during the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit for Gaza held in Egypt. The statement drew global attention as Trump responded with warmth, describing Sharif’s remarks as “beautiful” and praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a good friend” who has “done a fantastic job.”

Sharif was specially invited by Trump to address the high-profile summit, co-hosted by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. In his speech, the Pakistan leader lauded Trump’s efforts in preventing conflict between India and Pakistan, reiterating his call for Trump to be awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. He also thanked Trump for brokering the Gaza ceasefire, calling it another example of his “extraordinary contributions to global peace.”

Trump, taking the stage after Sharif, playfully said, “That was beautiful. There’s nothing left to say — let’s go home!” He then went on to acknowledge India, saying, “India is a great country with a good friend of mine at the top. He’s done a fantastic job.” Trump further expressed hope that “Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together,” sharing a smile with Sharif.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had been invited to the summit but chose to send Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in his place, welcomed the Gaza ceasefire in a post on X. “We welcome the release of all hostages after over two years of captivity… We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region,” Modi wrote, also praising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor questioned India’s limited representation at the summit, calling it a “missed opportunity.” He argued that with global leaders like Emmanuel Macron, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Antonio Guterres present, India’s “relative absence” might reduce its diplomatic visibility at such a significant forum.

The summit, attended by over 20 world leaders, marked the formal announcement of a Gaza ceasefire following years of conflict. Despite Sharif’s praise and Trump’s amiable comments, trade frictions between the US and India persist. Trump’s administration continues to maintain steep tariffs on Indian goods, even as both countries resume talks to revive a long-stalled trade deal.

This latest exchange highlights Trump’s balancing act between Islamabad and New Delhi—praising both leaders while seeking to project himself as a global peacemaker. As Pakistan courts Trump with Nobel calls and Modi maintains a measured tone, the dynamics among Washington, Delhi, and Islamabad continue to evolve amid changing geopolitical equations.

ADVERTISEMENT