US President Donald Trump said he personally pressured Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ease tensions with Pakistan, warning of steep tariffs if the conflict risked spiraling out of control.
Recounting the exchange, Trump told reporters that his intervention was blunt. “I am talking to a very terrific man, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. I said what’s going on with you and Pakistan? The hatred was tremendous,” Trump said.
According to Trump, he cautioned Modi that Washington would hold back trade agreements if hostilities escalated. “I said, I don’t want to make a trade deal with you. You guys are going to end up in a nuclear war,” he said. “Call me back tomorrow, but we’re not going to do any deals with you, or we’re going to put tariffs on you that are so high, your head’s going to spin.”
Trump claimed his warning prompted swift action from New Delhi. “Within about five hours, it was done,” he said, without elaborating on what was resolved.
The president suggested the risk of fresh tensions remains but vowed to act if necessary. “Now maybe it starts again. I don’t know. I don’t think so, but I’ll stop it if it does. We can’t let these things happen,” Trump said.
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