U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed he had prevented a war from “restarting” between Pakistan and India, though did not offer any specific details.
Addressing a joint press conference with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is visiting the U.S. for the first time in seven years, Trump said he had stopped “eight” wars. “We stopped India and Pakistan. I could go through the list … I’m very proud. I stopped one that was almost ready to start again,” he added, in a seeming reference to the May 2025 conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
To a question, Trump said both Islamabad and Delhi are now “doing well.”
Since the May conflict, Pakistan has hailed Trump’s help in ending the conflict, while India has demurred on the topic, maintaining a ceasefire was achieved bilaterally.
Trump also said he had pushed MBS to normalize relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords that he launched in his first term. The prince said he was working to do so “as soon as possible,” but insisted on securing a “clear path of two-state solution” for Palestine first.
MBS also announced he was increasing the $600 billion Saudi investment he promised Trump when the U.S. president visited the country in May. “We can announce that we are going to increase that $600 billion to almost $1 trillion for investment,” he said.
Major ally
Later, during a formal black-tie dinner at the White House, Trump said the U.S. is designating Saudi a “major, non-NATO ally.” He said this would entail military cooperation between the two states.
Washington has previously accorded the designation to 19 other countries, including Israel, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar. It does not entail any security commitments but provides military and economic privileges.
Thanking Trump for his “warm welcome,” the Saudi crown prince said the two states were signing agreements that would boost ties between them.
According to the White House, the two sides have signed a Strategic Defense Agreement, making it easier for U.S. defense firms to operate in the country. It said Trump had approved future deliveries of F-35 fighter jets and the Saudis had agreed to purchase 300 American tanks.
Further, the two countries signed a joint declaration on the completion of negotiations on civil nuclear energy cooperation, which the White House said would build the legal foundation for a long-term nuclear energy partnership.