Washington/Islamabad/New Delhi — In a dramatic twist to South Asian geopolitics, Pakistan has publicly endorsed former U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, hailing his “decisive diplomatic intervention” during the recent India-Pakistan crisis. However, India has outrightly rejected the narrative, asserting that the ceasefire agreement was the result of direct military-level dialogue, not external mediation.
The nomination buzz came after Mr. Trump, speaking on June 20, 2025, expressed his belief that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize “for a variety of reasons,” prominently citing his involvement in diffusing hostilities between India and Pakistan, brokering a ceasefire in the decades-long conflict between Congo and Rwanda, and his efforts in other global hotspots.
“I should have gotten it four or five times,” Trump said. “They won’t give me a Nobel Peace Prize because they only give it to liberals.”
Despite his colorful claim, the Indian government has consistently downplayed any U.S. role in the Indo-Pakistani ceasefire, stating firmly that it was achieved through official communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two nations.
Pakistan’s Pitch: “Trump the Peacemaker”
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry praised Trump’s leadership, stating:
“At a moment of heightened regional turbulence, President Trump demonstrated great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship through robust diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi… securing a ceasefire and averting a broader conflict between the two nuclear states.”
Pakistan also applauded Trump’s past “offers” to mediate on the Kashmir issue — a stance India has long rebuffed. The statement described Trump as a “genuine peacemaker” whose legacy of “pragmatic diplomacy” continues to shape regional dynamics, from South Asia to the Middle East.
The praise also linked his diplomatic efforts to ongoing humanitarian and political crises — including the war in Gaza and Iran’s growing tensions with Israel — reinforcing a broader narrative of Trump as a global conflict resolver.
India Pushes Back: “No Role for Mediators”
India, however, has pushed back sharply. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking from Kananaskis, Canada, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the G7 Summit, rejected Trump’s claim of brokering peace.
“At no point during the days following Operation Sindoor was there any discussion at any level on an India-U.S. trade deal or any mediation proposal,” Misri said in a video message. “India does not and will never accept third-party mediation.”
He clarified that the ceasefire discussion was initiated by Pakistan through military channels and executed directly, with no involvement from Washington.
Trump’s Frustration: “No Nobel, No Matter What I Do”
Trump has made no secret of his desire for the Nobel Peace Prize — especially since his predecessor Barack Obama won it in 2009 during his first year in office.
Posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize, no matter what I do… I won’t get it for stopping the war between India and Pakistan, or for stopping the war in Congo and Rwanda, or for keeping peace between Egypt and Ethiopia… but the people know, and that’s all that matters to me.”
Trump also took credit for brokering a “wonderful treaty” between Congo and Rwanda, expected to be signed in Washington this Monday — an agreement he claims will bring peace after decades of bloodshed in Central Africa.
He additionally referenced his role in the Abraham Accords in the Middle East, calling them a milestone that could unify the region “for the first time in the ages.”
Lunch With Pakistan’s Army Chief Amid India Talks
Adding to the geopolitical complexity, Trump hosted Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, for lunch at the White House on June 18, just hours after Modi had a phone conversation with Trump.
“Reason I had him here? I want to thank him for not going into the war… ending the war,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office. “And I want to thank Prime Minister Modi… we’re working a trade deal with India. We’re working on a trade deal with Pakistan.”
His statement appeared to contradict India’s assertion that there were no trade-related discussions or mediation proposals following the recent military tensions.
John Bolton Reacts: “Still Obsessed with Obama’s Prize”
John Bolton, Trump’s former National Security Adviser and a frequent critic, weighed in with a post on X:
“Trump wants the Nobel because Obama got one. He won’t get it for solving the Russia-Ukraine war, he failed to broker peace with Iran, and his claim of stopping the India-Pakistan war is questionable.”
Bolton’s post reflects a growing divide within Trump’s former inner circle, with many questioning both the substance and motive behind his repeated claims of peacemaking.
Global Diplomacy or Political Theater?
While Trump’s backers, including Pakistan’s leadership, insist on recognizing his diplomatic feats, critics argue that much of it is performative, with little substance or verifiable success.
The Nobel Committee has historically been conservative in awarding peace prizes to sitting political leaders, particularly those with polarizing legacies. Trump’s controversial foreign policy history — ranging from withdrawal from key climate treaties to increased Middle East tensions — continues to haunt his candidacy in the eyes of global observers.
Yet, the public discourse surrounding his claims, and Pakistan’s rare endorsement, have again thrown the Nobel Peace Prize debate into the political limelight.
Whether the Nobel Committee acknowledges his claims or not, Trump seems determined to craft a legacy of peace — one Truth Social post at a time.
