President Donald Trump recently doubled down on his bold claims during his latest State of the Union address. He specifically asserted that his administration prevented a devastating nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan last year. Furthermore, he stated that he has ended eight wars during the first ten months of his second term. This announcement has reignited global debates regarding the actual events of the 2025 “Operation Sindoor” military standoff.
The 35 Million Death Toll Claim
Trump cited Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claiming 35 million people would have died without US involvement. According to Trump, Sharif admitted that the truce saved millions of lives during India’s retaliatory military strikes. Additionally, the President mentioned that his team is currently working very hard to end a ninth global war. He referred specifically to the “killing and slaughter” currently occurring between the nations of Russia and Ukraine.
Operation Sindoor and the Tariff Threat
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, to destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This move followed the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which tragically killed twenty-six civilians in the region. Consequently, Trump claimed he threatened to impose 200 per cent tariffs on both nations to force a ceasefire. He has repeated this claim over eighty times since the ceasefire was announced on May 10 last year.
India Refutes Third-Party Mediation
However, the Indian government has consistently denied all claims regarding third-party intervention during the May 2025 conflict. Officials in New Delhi stated that military commanders reached a cessation of hostilities through direct, bilateral communications. Specifically, the understanding was reached following talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. While Trump insists on US mediation, India maintains that the resolution was a strictly internal, professional military matter.
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Expert Q&A: Fact-Checking the Conflict
Q: What triggered the launch of Operation Sindoor?
A: India launched the operation in direct retaliation for the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians in April 2025.
Q: Did the US officially mediate the ceasefire?
A: While Trump claims he negotiated the truce via tariff threats, India officially denies any third-party mediation occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many people did Trump claim to save?
Trump asserted that Pakistan’s Prime Minister told him 35 million people would have died without his personal intervention.
What was the “ninth war” Trump mentioned?
During his address, Trump referred to the Russia-Ukraine conflict as the ninth war he is working to end.
How did India and Pakistan reach a ceasefire?
According to New Delhi, the two nations reached an agreement through direct talks between their respective military DGMOs.
What was Trump’s joke about the Medal of Honour?
Trump joked that he wanted the Congressional Medal of Honour but was told he cannot give it to himself.
Has Trump made this claim before?
Yes, President Trump has claimed credit for stopping the India-Pakistan war more than 80 times since May 2025.
