Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has credited former US President Donald Trump with a significant intervention during the May 2025 military standoff between India and Pakistan. Speaking at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sharif highlighted Trump’s role at a critical juncture to prevent a broader conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations. He emphasized the importance of avoiding such tensions in South Asia in the future.
Despite Pakistan’s acknowledgment of Trump’s influence, India has countered this narrative, asserting that the ceasefire was achieved through direct talks with Pakistan and without third-party involvement. In his address, Sharif also defended Pakistan’s military actions during the conflict, citing the nation’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and commended the armed forces for their response.
Aside from the military confrontation, Sharif expressed concerns over India’s handling of the Indus Waters Treaty. The Prime Minister criticized India’s decision to suspend the 1960 agreement, which governs the sharing of the Indus river system’s waters, describing the move as lacking legal foundation. Sharif warned that any effort to obstruct or divert water from Pakistan’s share of the Indus would be considered an “act of war.”
The Indus Waters Treaty has historically been a cornerstone for water-sharing between India and Pakistan, and Sharif claimed that international legal developments have supported Pakistan’s stance on its continued validity. The water-sharing dispute underscores the ongoing tensions between the neighboring countries.
In response to Sharif’s statements, India reiterated its accusations against Pakistan of promoting cross-border terrorism. During its right of reply at the UN, India emphasized that it would continue to protect itself against such threats and dismissed Pakistan’s allegations as unfounded. India maintained that repeating these claims does not alter its firm position on combating terrorism.