Washington D.C., June 18: U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the media outside White House on Wednesday. Trump again claimed that he mediated and stopped the war between India and Pakistan. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a fantastic man. He claimed that he will go ahead and make a trade deal with PM Modi. He also said that he loves Pakistan.
He said, “Well, I stopped the war between Pakistan. I love Pakistan. Modi is a fantastic man. I spoke to him last night. We can now make a trade deal with him. But I stopped the war between India and Pakistan.”
Trump has time and again claimed his involvement helped stop a recent four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan. However, India denied his claims and said that the ceasefire was arranged directly between the two countries’ militaries without any U.S. help.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Trump over the phone that India does not accept any mediation in its matters with Pakistan. PM Modi also told Trump that Islamabad requested the talks, and the ceasefire came after direct military-level discussions between the two countries.
Pakistan Army Chief Invited to White House
Trump is also set to host Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir for lunch at the White House Cabinet Room. This lunch meeting comes shortly after the India-Pakistan military tensions and while the Middle East is seeing rising conflict between Israel and Iran.
Trump had returned early from the G7 Summit in Canada due to these tensions. He also asked Prime Minister Modi during a phone call if he could stop by the U.S., but PM Modi declined due to other commitments.
Trump on Iran: 'I May Strike, I May Not'
During the same media interaction, Trump also spoke about Iran. When asked if the U.S. would attack Iran’s nuclear sites, Trump joked with the reporter and gave no direct answer. He said, “I may do it, I may not do it — nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
He added that Iran is in trouble and now wants to negotiate. Trump questioned why Iran didn’t come to the table earlier, before what he called “war, death, and destruction.”
