Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for his “timely intervention” during a military standoff between Pakistan and India in May 2025. Speaking at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sharif emphasized that Trump’s actions helped prevent a potential escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations. Sharif stressed the importance of avoiding similar tensions in South Asia in the future.
Contrary to Sharif’s statements, India has asserted that the ceasefire concluded in May 2025 resulted from direct communications between the two countries, without the involvement of any third party.
During his address, Sharif defended Pakistan’s military actions during the confrontation, citing the nation’s right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. He commended the Pakistani armed forces for their conduct during the conflict.
Sharif also addressed concerns over the Indus Waters Treaty, criticizing India for placing the 1960 agreement in abeyance. He underscored the significance of the Indus river system to Pakistan and the broader region, arguing that India’s actions lack legal justification. Sharif warned that any attempt by India to obstruct or divert Pakistan’s share of the river waters would be considered an “act of war.”
The Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the distribution of the Indus river system’s waters between India and Pakistan, has been a longstanding agreement since its signing in 1960.
In response, India accused Pakistan of perpetuating cross-border terrorism, stating that such policies would have repercussions. India reaffirmed its stance on defending itself against terrorism and dismissed Pakistan’s claims, maintaining that repeated allegations would not alter New Delhi’s position on the issue.