Sharm el-Sheikh: US President Donald Trump created a moment of global attention at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt, blending praise, diplomacy, and unexpected questions aimed at South Asia’s most sensitive relationship. While addressing world leaders gathered to sign a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Trump referred to Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir as his “favourite Field Marshal,” thanking him and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their roles in facilitating peace in Gaza.
“Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan, and I have to say my favourite Field Marshal from Pakistan, who is not here, but the Prime Minister is here,” Trump remarked, in a moment that left the Pakistani premier visibly awkward behind the podium.
Shortly thereafter, Trump turned his attention to India, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “very good friend” who has done a “fantastic job,” earning nods of appreciation from the assembled leaders. Then, in a strikingly candid moment, Trump directed a question to Sharif: “I think that Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together, right?” The Pakistani premier responded with an uneasy smile, while Trump reassured, “They are, they are… and they're two great… I tell you… leaders, great leaders as far as I'm concerned.”
Later in the proceedings, Sharif took the podium to express gratitude toward Trump, emphasizing that the US president had “stopped the India-Pak war.” Sharif went further, stating that he intended to again nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, lauding his efforts in saving millions of lives not only in South Asia but also in the Middle East. “This is because he has brought not only peace in South Asia, saved the lives of millions of people there, and today here in Sharm el-Sheikh, achieving peace in Gaza is saving millions of lives in the Middle East,” Sharif said.
Trump’s claim of ending the May 2025 military conflict between India and Pakistan has been repeatedly endorsed by Islamabad, which even nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. India, however, maintains that the cessation of hostilities was a result of direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries, rather than external mediation.
The conflict began on May 7 when India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. After four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes, both nations reached an understanding on May 10 to halt military action.
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit brought these historic moments to the forefront, highlighting Trump’s personal diplomacy style, Sharif’s praise, and India-Pakistan relations under the global spotlight. The combination of high-profile commendations, public questioning, and strategic acknowledgments underscored the delicate balance in South Asian geopolitics and the ongoing international effort to promote peace in conflict zones.