Washington D.C. — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged Pakistan’s critical geopolitical role and emphasized the need for continued engagement with the South Asian nation, citing escalating tensions between Pakistan and India during his administration.
In an interview with a U.S. news outlet, Trump revealed that the two nuclear-armed neighbors were dangerously close to conflict. “The situation had escalated to the point where nuclear war could have broken out,” he said, noting that missile exchanges were occurring at the height of the standoff.
“These are not minor powers—they are major nuclear powers,” Trump added, underscoring the global stakes of regional instability.
Trump said his administration maintained open lines of communication with both Islamabad and New Delhi. “We had excellent talks with Pakistan,” he stated, adding that diplomatic efforts were ongoing at the time. “I told my people to reach out to Pakistan and India.”
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On the economic front, Trump noted Pakistan’s interest in boosting trade ties with the United States. While bilateral trade remains limited, he described the relationship as positive. “They want to trade with us,” he said, praising Pakistanis as “intelligent people” who “make amazing things.”
Trump also said his administration encouraged both countries to prioritize commerce over conflict. “We said to both countries, ‘We should do trade’,” he remarked, confirming that trade discussions with Pakistan had begun during his presidency.
In a separate comment, Trump addressed ongoing global tensions, stating that Iran was keen on reaching an agreement with the U.S., though he provided no further detail.
He also issued a warning to Russia, asserting that failure to resolve the conflict in Ukraine could lead to severe U.S. sanctions. “If a deal is not made with Ukraine, we will impose devastating sanctions on Russia,” he said.
Dismissing any strategic advantage for Kyiv, Trump said, “The Ukrainian president has no ‘Trump card’.” He concluded the interview by calling recent diplomatic developments a “great success” that deserved broader recognition.
