'Great fighter': Trump heaps praise on Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir

US President Donald Trump has once again lauded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, acknowledging their roles in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India during a brief conflict earlier this year.

Speaking at a luncheon during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump referred to the two leaders as “great people” and praised their efforts in promoting regional stability.

The US president said he had intervened during the May clashes, threatening to impose 250% tariffs on both Pakistan and India if hostilities continued. “Within 48 hours, we had no war, no people killed,” he claimed.

Trump said he spoke separately with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, warning both that trade talks with Washington would be halted if the fighting persisted. “They’re strong people, but after two days, they said, ‘We understand,’ and they stopped fighting,” he said.

Referring to Field Marshal Munir, Trump added: “They have a Field Marshal. You know why he’s a Field Marshal? He’s a great fighter.” He described Modi as “tough as hell” but maintained that both leaders ultimately opted for restraint.

The conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025 erupted following a terrorist attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan — a charge Islamabad denied.

The confrontation lasted three days, during which both sides exchanged strikes before agreeing to a ceasefire on May 10, reportedly brokered by the United States. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for mediating peace efforts between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.