A notable interaction occurred at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, where former US President Donald Trump lauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and posed a direct question to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding India-Pakistan relations.
Trump's Praise for Modi
During the Gaza Peace Summit on Monday, Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi without explicitly naming him. He stated, "India is a great country, and it has a very good friend of mine at the top, and he's done a fantastic job. " This commendation came while Shehbaz Sharif was standing directly behind him.
Sharif's Assent and Pakistan's Evolving Stance
Following his praise for Modi, Trump turned to Sharif and asked, "Okay? " To this, the Pakistani Prime Minister smiled and nodded in agreement. This exchange is significant as Pakistan has historically maintained an aggressive posture towards India. Sharif's assent suggests a potential shift, indicating that Pakistan may be recognizing the necessity of peaceful coexistence with India, especially after the military skirmishes in May. India has consistently asserted its capability to respond forcefully to any provocation.
Trump's Previous Claims
Trump's call for improved India-Pakistan relations followed Shehbaz Sharif's earlier remarks in Egypt, where Sharif credited the former US President for de-escalating a potential conflict between the two nations. Trump has previously claimed to have brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during a military standoff in May. However, India has repeatedly refuted these claims, stating that any de-escalation was achieved bilaterally. The Gaza Peace Summit primarily aimed to address the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and reinforce peace efforts.