Trump Claims 350% Tariff Threat Prompted Modi’s Call, Says He Averted India-Pakistan War

Digital Desk

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that he helped prevent a potential conflict between India and Pakistan earlier this year by threatening both countries with a 350% tariff. Speaking at the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, Trump recounted what he described as a series of calls from South Asian leaders during heightened tensions in May.

According to Trump, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif phoned him first to express gratitude, saying the US intervention had “saved millions of lives.” Trump said a subsequent call came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reportedly told him, “We are done, we will not go to war.” India has repeatedly denied any foreign involvement in the ceasefire, maintaining that de-escalation resulted from direct bilateral discussions.

Trump has reiterated this claim more than 60 times in recent months. He previously delivered a similar account at the APEC CEO Summit on October 29, where he said he had threatened to impose a 250% tariff if both sides did not halt military exchanges.

The comments come amid ongoing trade friction between Washington and New Delhi. The US has imposed a cumulative 50% tariff on Indian goodsa 25% reciprocal tariff and an additional 25% penalty linked to India’s purchases of discounted Russian oil. Trump has insisted the sanctions aim to curb Moscow’s revenues, arguing that Russian oil sales help fuel the war in Ukraine.

Despite tensions, Trump said a new trade agreement is nearing completion and signaled the US is prepared to lower tariffs as India reduces its reliance on Russian crude.

Meanwhile, India and the US this week finalized their first short-term LPG supply agreement. Under the one-year deal for 2026, American suppliers Chevron, Phillips 66, and Total Energies will deliver 2.2 million tonnes of LPG to IOC, BPCL, and HPCL roughly 10% of India’s annual demand. Officials say the pact will diversify India’s energy sources and strengthen supply security at a time of volatile global prices.

Trump emphasized that the US maintains “excellent relations” with India and Prime Minister Modi, calling New Delhi a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific.