"This man was extremely influential in stopping war": Trump heaps praise on Asim Munir

US President Donald Trump has once again claimed credit for defusing what he described as a near-catastrophic conflict between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, he named Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, as a key figure in the effort to de-escalate tensions.

Trump stated: “I stopped the war between Pakistan and India. Both are nuclear countries — they got to stop. This man — Asim Munir — was extremely influential in stopping the war from the Pakistan side. I love Pakistan. I think Modi is a fantastic man. I spoke to him last night. Now we will have a trade deal with India.”

His remarks came following a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which reportedly took place on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada.

The conversation marked their first direct contact since the May 7–10 skirmishes along the Line of Control.

Trump praised both sides but emphasized that it was his involvement that helped avert a larger crisis. “I stopped a war between two major nuclear nations — India and Pakistan. I don’t think anyone ever wrote a story about it,” he added, lamenting the lack of media acknowledgment.

Despite Trump’s assertions, Indian authorities have firmly rejected the notion of any US mediation.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a press briefing, stated that Prime Minister Modi had informed Trump there had been “no talk at any stage” of US-facilitated negotiations or trade discussions during the crisis.