Donald Trump says India PM Narendra Modi called him after nuclear threat warning

US President Donald Trump has again said he personally stopped India and Pakistan from sliding towards a nuclear showdown, claiming he threatened both countries with crippling tariffs until they backed off. He made the comments on Wednesday at the US–Saudi Investment Forum, returning to a claim he has made several times in the past.

His remarks come months after India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Although he linked his comments to an earlier phase of tension, Trump described his role as decisive and life-saving.

‘I told them: 350% tariffs if you go to war’

Trump said he warned New Delhi and Islamabad that he would slap a 350% tariff on both nations and halt trade with the US if they moved towards a nuclear exchange.

“India, Pakistan, they were going to go out with nuclear weapons,” he said. “I told them, fine, you can go at it — but I’m putting a 350 per cent tariff on each country, no more trade.”

He claimed one side quickly objected, telling him he couldn’t do that.

Trump said he pushed back. “I’m going to do it. I’m not having you fire nuclear weapons at each other, killing millions, and sending nuclear dust over Los Angeles.”

He said both sides disliked the threat, but he made it clear he wouldn’t budge. “They said they didn’t like it. I said I don’t care.”

‘Modi called and said they weren’t going to war’

Trump went on to say that leaders on both sides later thanked him. He said Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told him he had “saved millions of lives”.

He then spoke about India, recalling what he said was a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Modi called me saying, ‘We’re done,’” Trump claimed. “I asked, done with what? He said, ‘We’re not going to go to war.’ I said, thank you very much. Let’s make a deal.”

Trump pointed to this episode as proof of his tough style, arguing no other US president would have handled the situation the same way. He also took a swipe at Joe Biden, suggesting Biden “wouldn’t know which countries we’re talking about”.

India rejects mediation, Pakistan acknowledges role

Trump said he used tariffs to settle “five of eight” global disputes during his presidency, arguing economic pressure was often more effective than diplomacy.

India has repeatedly rejected any third-party role in its issues with Pakistan, saying all matters must be handled directly between the two nations. Pakistan, however, has publicly credited Trump for helping lower tensions during the May conflict.

Despite the criticism and denials, Trump told the forum he believed he had “saved millions of people” by stepping in.