Trump again praises PM Sharif as ‘terrific man’ in UNGA speech

UNITED NATIONS: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday again praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling him a “terrific man” while repeating his repeated assertion that he helped end the military confrontation between Pakistan and India in May 2025.

Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump listed Pakistan and India among eight conflicts he said he had helped settle since returning to the White House.

“Since I took office, it has been my honour to help settle eight wars, and in so doing, become friendly with the leaders of many of those countries,” Trump said.

“It was a great honour to do it,” he added.

Trump said he had used what he described as “great relations” as well as tariffs to help resolve the conflicts.

While listing the countries involved, Trump cited Pakistan and India, along with Thailand and Cambodia, Armenia and Azerbaijan and Gaza.

“Almost all of these countries have written me letters of thanks,” he said.

Referring to PM Sharif, Trump said: “The prime minister of Pakistan — terrific man — said that Donald Trump was responsible for saving 30 million lives and probably many more than that.”

Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for helping halt the Pakistan-India fighting, while Pakistani officials have also acknowledged a role for US diplomacy in bringing about the ceasefire.

The latest remarks come more than a year after the two nuclear-armed neighbours were pushed towards a wider conflict following a sharp escalation in April and May 2025.

Tensions intensified after an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan-based militants for the attack, an allegation Islamabad denied.

India subsequently launched strikes inside Pakistan on May 7, saying it was targeting militant infrastructure. Pakistan responded with strikes and the two sides exchanged attacks over four days, raising fears of a wider war between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

On May 10, Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” after what he described as a long night of US-mediated talks. Pakistan’s foreign minister and India’s foreign ministry also announced the ceasefire.

Reuters reported at the time that US pressure and diplomacy helped secure the truce after four days of fighting.

In the weeks and months that followed, Trump continued to claim that his intervention had prevented the conflict from escalating further. Pakistani officials, including Sharif, have also publicly credited Trump with helping facilitate the ceasefire.

Trump’s reference to saving 30 million lives, however, was his own claim about the scale of the potential consequences and was not independently established in his UN speech.

Tuesday’s remarks were part of a broader address in which Trump presented himself as a leader who had helped end multiple international conflicts, while focusing heavily on the ongoing war involving Iran, the conflict in Ukraine and his criticism of international institutions.

His praise for Sharif comes as US-Pakistan ties have warmed since the May 2025 confrontation. Trump has met Sharif and Pakistan’s military leadership and has continued to publicly highlight Pakistan’s role in his diplomatic efforts.

Trump’s remarks on Iran

On June 20, Trump praised Pakistan’s leadership and diplomatic role in facilitating an understanding between the United States and Iran, saying Islamabad had played a key part in helping bring the two sides to the table during a period of heightened regional tensions.

In a detailed interview with Axios, Trump said he had earlier also commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their coordination and “strong working relationship”.

He said Pakistan’s familiarity with Iranian officials had helped advance negotiations, adding that he “likes the Pakistani people” and had acted on Islamabad’s request to avoid further escalation against Iran.

Trump said the broader Iran framework, which included a temporary ceasefire arrangement and steps towards a longer-term settlement, would not have progressed without coordinated diplomatic efforts by multiple regional actors, including Pakistan.

Shehbaz praises Trump over Gaza

On October 13, 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Trump, saying the US president had shown “exemplary leadership”, sincerity and courage in helping secure peace in Gaza.

Addressing a gathering, Sharif said it was “one of the greatest days” because peace had been achieved in Gaza after what he described as months of relentless diplomacy.

Sharif also recalled that Pakistan had earlier nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for what Islamabad described as his contribution to preventing further escalation between India and Pakistan.

He said he felt deeply honoured to see Trump’s efforts recognised again for helping bring stability to South Asia and peace to Gaza.

“Millions of lives have been saved,” Sharif said. “From South Asia to the Middle East, our collective struggle has borne fruit, and I salute the president who stood shoulder to shoulder for peace.”