New York, Feb 25:
In a marathon State of the Union (SOTU) address lasting over 100 minutes, U.S. President Donald Trump doubled down on his role as a global peacemaker, making a dramatic claim regarding the 2025 India-Pakistan crisis. Trump asserted that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally told him that his intervention averted a “nuclear apocalypse,” saving 35 million lives.
The address, delivered on Tuesday night, saw the President highlighting his foreign policy “victories” while taking credit for resolving multiple global flashpoints within the first 10 months of his second term.
The “35 Million” Figure: Trump’s Growing Peacemaker Narrative
Addressing a crowded Congress, President Trump touted his involvement in the de-escalation of tensions between the South Asian nuclear neighbors last year.
“In my first 10 months, I ended eight wars… including Pakistan and India, which would have been a nuclear war. Thirty-five million people, said the Prime Minister of Pakistan, would have died if it were not for my involvement,” Trump declared.
Interestingly, this figure has seen a steady “inflation” in Trump’s speeches. Since May 10 last year, he has cited the number of lives saved as 10 million, then 25 million, and now 35 million. He claimed that a US-brokered “full and immediate” ceasefire was the result of “long night” negotiations led by his administration.
India’s Stance vs. Trump’s Claims
While Trump continues his victory lap, the Indian government has consistently maintained a different stance. New Delhi has:
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Rejected Third-Party Roles: India has steadfastly insisted that all issues with Pakistan are bilateral.
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Credit to Operation Sindoor: Indian officials have pointed to the success of Operation Sindoor (following the Pahalgam attack) and direct diplomatic channels as the primary drivers of de-escalation, rather than external mediation.
A “Laundry List” of Resolved Conflicts
Beyond South Asia, Trump reeled off a list of other regional disputes he claims to have “resolved” or mediated since returning to the Oval Office:
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Middle East: Israel-Iran tensions and a “low-level” Gaza war.
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Europe & Balkans: Kosovo-Serbia.
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Africa: Egypt-Ethiopia (Grand Renaissance Dam dispute) and Congo-Rwanda.
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Asia & Caucasus: Cambodia-Thailand and Armenia-Azerbaijan.
“Our country has never been stronger,” Trump boomed, framing his “America First” policy as a tool for global stability.
Drama in the House: “Sick People”
The speech was not without domestic friction. As Democratic lawmakers interrupted his claims with audible dissent, Trump paused for a characteristic quip: “Isn’t it funny? Sick people…” The moment underscored the deep polarization in Washington, even as the President projected an image of “restoring safety for Americans at home and security abroad.”
| Claim | Details |
| Lives Saved | 35 Million (in India-Pakistan 2025 crisis) |
| Speech Length | 100+ Minutes (Second SOTU of Term 2) |
| Wars “Ended” | 8 Global Conflicts cited by the President |
| Pakistan’s Response | Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s camp has remained silent so far. |
| India’s Response | Previous rebuttals highlight bilateral resolve and military deterrence. |
While the Pakistani PM’s office has yet to issue a clarification, Trump’s latest remarks are expected to trigger fresh diplomatic rebuttals from New Delhi and intense debate across South Asian policy circles.
