Trump Praises Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, Then Turns To India: “I Think They’ll Live Nicely Together”
At the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, Trump thanks Pakistan for Gaza role, praises PM Modi’s leadership, and makes a surprise remark on India-Pak ties
By Orlin Milinov
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt — In a moment that blended diplomacy, humour, and a hint of awkwardness, US President Donald Trump on Monday heaped praise on Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, calling him his “favourite Field Marshal,” before turning to commend Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “very good friend” who has done a “fantastic job.”
Trump made the remarks while addressing the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, convened to formalize a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following the end of the Gaza war. Standing behind him on stage was Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who appeared visibly uneasy as Trump made his comments.
“Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan — and I have to say, my favourite Field Marshal from Pakistan, who is not here, but the Prime Minister is here,” Trump said, gesturing toward the Pakistani leader.
Moments later, the US president pivoted toward India, saying, “India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top, and he’s just done a fantastic job.”
Then, turning again to Sharif, Trump asked, “I think that Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together, right?”
The Pakistani premier, caught off guard, smiled awkwardly as Trump added, “They are, they are… two great leaders, great leaders as far as I’m concerned.”
Sharif’s Response: “Trump Saved Millions of Lives”
Taking the podium afterward, Prime Minister Sharif thanked Trump for his role in “stopping the India-Pakistan war,” reiterating his earlier nomination of the US president for the Nobel Peace Prize.
“He has brought peace in South Asia, saving the lives of millions of people, and today, here in Sharm el-Sheikh, he has achieved peace in Gaza, saving millions more in the Middle East,” Sharif said.
Islamabad has repeatedly endorsed Trump’s claim that he mediated an end to the India-Pakistan conflict in May. However, New Delhi has consistently clarified that the ceasefire understanding was achieved through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations — not via any external mediation.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliatory Strikes
The short but intense military confrontation followed India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
After four days of heavy cross-border strikes, India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end hostilities, restoring fragile peace in the region.
A Diplomatic Balancing Act
Trump’s remarks in Egypt reflected his characteristic blend of flattery and unpredictability. By lauding both Asim Munir and Narendra Modi in the same breath, the US president sought to project himself as a global peacemaker — a theme that has defined his messaging since the ceasefire in Gaza and his claimed mediation between India and Pakistan.
However, the exchange also highlighted the delicate diplomatic balancing act Washington faces in South Asia, where the rivalry between India and Pakistan remains one of the world’s most volatile flashpoints.
