Trump's Awkward Request to Pakistan PM at Inaugural Peace Board Meeting
In a moment that captured international attention, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif found himself in an uncomfortable spotlight during Donald Trump's self-styled inaugural Board of Peace meeting on Thursday. The former US President publicly asked Sharif to stand up as he claimed personal credit for halting military tensions between India and Pakistan in 2025.
The Viral Moment: "Stand Up, Please"
Several videos from the Washington event have gone viral across social media platforms, showing Trump calling on the Pakistani leader during his address. "I think you should actually stand. Come, please, stand just for a second," Trump declared from the podium as Sharif briefly rose from his seat in what appeared to be an awkward compliance with the request.
Trump then added a remark that further emphasized the geopolitical dynamics at play: "I spoke to PM Modi, he said that he is watching us right now." This comment highlighted India's observer status at the meeting while Pakistan had formally joined Trump's initiative.
Trump's Claim: Trade Pressure Stopped "Raging War"
The former President detailed his version of events from May 2025, when military tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors escalated dramatically. "That war was raging. Planes were being shot down," Trump recounted. "And I got on the phone with both of them, and I knew them a little bit. I knew Prime Minister Modi very well."
Trump claimed he used economic leverage to force a de-escalation: "I called them and I said, listen, I'm not doing trade deals with you two guys if you don't settle this up. And all of a sudden, we worked out a deal. I said, if you fight, I'm going to put 200 per cent tariffs on each of your countries."
According to Trump's narrative, financial considerations proved decisive: "They both wanted to fight. But when it came to money, it's nothing like money. When it came to losing a lot of money, they said, I guess we don't want to fight." He specifically mentioned that "11 jets were shot down" during the confrontation, describing them as "very expensive jets."
Pakistan's Alignment with Trump's Narrative
Sharif's presence at the event marked Pakistan's formal entry into the Trump-led Board of Peace initiative. Islamabad has publicly aligned itself with Trump's version of events regarding the alleged de-escalation. Trump quoted Sharif as saying, "He said in front of our Chief of Staff that President Trump saved 25 million lives when he stopped the war between us and India."
India's Observer Status and Diplomatic Representation
In contrast to Pakistan's full participation, India attended the inaugural meeting only as an "observer" country and has not joined the initiative. According to reports, India was represented by Chargé d'affaires at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, Namgya Khampa, at the meeting held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.
The Board of Peace represents part of Trump's broader global peace initiative, which includes plans related to the redevelopment of the Gaza Strip. Invitations were extended to multiple countries, including India, though New Delhi has maintained its observer position rather than full membership.
The diplomatic dynamics displayed at the meeting highlight the complex relationships between these nations, with Pakistan embracing Trump's narrative while India maintains a more cautious diplomatic distance from the initiative.
