The government of Pakistan nominated President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize over his role in ending last month’s clashes between Pakistan and India.
India and Pakistan fought their largest armed conflict in decades from May 7-10, exchanging air, missile, and drone strikes, which killed or injured dozens on each side. The Trump administration played an instrumental role in mediating a ceasefire on May 10, after growing concerns of escalations between the nuclear-armed powers. Trump immediately claimed credit for the ceasefire, an assertion supported by Pakistan but disputed by India.
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On Friday, Islamabad showed its thanks by officially nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, a long-sought-after goal for the president.
“At a moment of heightened regional turbulence, President Trump demonstrated great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship through robust diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi which de-escalated a rapidly deteriorating situation, ultimately securing a ceasefire and averting a broader conflict between the two nuclear states that would have had catastrophic consequences for millions of people in the region and beyond,” Islamabad said in a statement provided by the Pakistani Embassy. “This intervention stands as a testament to his role as a genuine peacemaker and his commitment to conflict resolution through dialogue.”
The Government of Pakistan said it “also acknowledges and greatly admires” Trump’s “sincere offers” to help resolve the Kashmir dispute. This region has been the center of every war between the powers since their independence in 1948, excluding the 1971 war.
Trump’s actions, Islamabad argued, “manifestly showcases the continuation of his legacy of pragmatic diplomacy and effective peace-building.” It then expanded its praise to voice hope that Trump’s peacemaking efforts would bear more fruit worldwide.
“Pakistan remains hopeful that his earnest efforts will continue to contribute towards regional and global stability, particularly in the context of ongoing crises in the Middle East, including the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating escalation involving Iran,” it concluded.
The statement also defended Pakistan’s actions in May, describing India’s opening strikes as “unprovoked and unlawful Indian aggression,” while describing its own response as “a measured, resolute, and precise military response, carefully executed to re-establish deterrence and defend its territorial integrity while consciously avoiding civilian harm.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House for comment.
Trump bemoaned his lack of a Nobel Peace Prize nomination earlier in the day, pointing to his role in resolving the India-Pakistan conflict as one of the main justifications. He speculated that the only reason he lacked one was because “they only nominate liberals.”
Islamabad’s overture toward Trump comes amid a broader relations blitz from the Pakistani government to restore its relationship with Washington. A Pakistani parliamentary delegation visited Washington earlier this month and met with U.S. officials. At an event held at the Pakistani Embassy on June 6, the delegation was liberal in its praise of Trump, criticizing India for minimizing his role in resolving the latest round of fighting.
“President Trump isn’t being celebrated enough for the role he played in establishing peace,” Pakistani Climate Minister Musadik Malik said.
“It was a great intervention the president did,” he continued, adding that “he’s playing the same role regarding Russia and Ukraine.”
Pakistani People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari echoed his sentiment when responding to a reporter’s question, saying India’s downplaying of Trump’s role was “just embarrassing at this point.”
“I don’t know why India wants to rob Trump and the United States of this victory,” he said, adding that Trump administration officials were “up all night” for five days trying to solve the crisis.
Zardari then accused India of “trying to sabotage Trump’s broader vision for peace.”
On Wednesday, the leader of Pakistani forces during the brief conflict with India, recently promoted Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, dined with Trump in Washington. The unprecedented meeting was the best sign for U.S.-Pakistan relations in years, but caused alarm in India.
INDIA APPROVES NEW FIGHTER JET AS ARMS RACE WITH PAKISTAN ESCALATES AFTER SHORT-LIVED CONFLICT
Analysts speculate that New Delhi denied Trump’s role in the ceasefire due to its view that Pakistan is a much lesser power, while Trump implicitly portrayed them as equals.
Pakistan and the U.S. were close allies throughout the Cold War, with Washington seeing Islamabad as a reliable ally against India, which was viewed as sympathetic to the Soviet Union. Pakistan’s previous, and alleged ongoing support for the Taliban and other Islamist groups soured relations, leading to a decline over the past decade. Pakistan’s growing relationship with China also contributed, though Pakistan has sought to balance good relations with Washington and Beijing.