Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his UNGA address, appealed for talks with India and praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in mediation. Sharif said Trump’s timely intervention prevented a full-scale war between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Sharif spoke a day after meeting Trump at the White House with Pakistani military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. Munir said Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for brokering a ceasefire in May’s conflict with India.
“Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues,” Sharif told the UN General Assembly. “South Asia requires proactive rather than provocative leadership.”
Sharif described Trump’s leadership as “bold and visionary,” adding that without Trump’s decisive action, the consequences could have been catastrophic. He emphasised dialogue over hostility to ensure lasting peace.
Sharif also claimed victory over India, saying, “India came shrouded in arrogance but we sent them back in humiliation.” This followed Modi’s May order to attack Pakistani military sites after the Pahalgam terror attack, which Pakistan denied responsibility for.
Trump later announced a ceasefire. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said both nations would hold talks at a neutral venue. Sharif urged sustained dialogue, stressing that peace in South Asia depends on mutual understanding and constructive engagement.
Experts said Sharif’s UNGA appeal reflects Pakistan’s strategic shift towards dialogue and diplomacy, signalling a potential change in Indo-Pak relations.
