• Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize for helping end a brief but dangerous conflict with India. Officials credit his diplomatic efforts.
• India denies U.S. mediation, insisting the ceasefire was a bilateral military agreement, while Trump’s involvement stirred regional and global debate.
• Public reaction in Pakistan is divided. Officials praise Trump’s role, but critics condemn his support for Israel and question his peace credentials.

In a surprising twist that raised eyebrows across the international community, Pakistan announced on Saturday it would formally recommend former U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination, officials in Islamabad said, is based on Trump’s role in halting a short-lived but potentially devastating conflict between India and Pakistan. This was a flare-up that some feared could spiral into a nuclear showdown.

While Trump has never been shy about his desire for the prestigious prize—often complaining that he gets no credit for his foreign policy wins—this latest endorsement comes from an unexpected corner of the world. It carries more than a hint of geopolitical maneuvering beneath the surface.

The Ceasefire That Changed the Game

Back in May, the tension between India and Pakistan—two nuclear-armed neighbors with a long and bitter history—boiled over once again. Gunfire, military posturing, and threats of escalation dominated headlines for four tense days. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Trump stepped in with a dramatic announcement of a ceasefire. It reportedly stopped the conflict in its tracks.

From Washington’s perspective, it was a textbook diplomatic win. Trump declared that his intervention had averted a full-scale war, saved countless lives, and prevented nuclear catastrophe. True to form, he lamented the lack of global recognition for his efforts. He openly mused that if anyone deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, it was him.

Islamabad seemed to agree.

“President Trump displayed exceptional foresight and statesmanship in resolving what could have turned into a humanitarian disaster,” said a statement from Pakistan’s foreign ministry. “His efforts were not only swift but decisive in cooling a rapidly escalating crisis.”

India, on the other hand, told a different story. According to officials in New Delhi, the ceasefire resulted from a direct agreement between the two militaries. They argue no external mediation was involved.

Tensions With India and the Bigger Picture

Trump has long offered to act as a mediator in the decades-old dispute over Kashmir, the mountainous region at the heart of Indo-Pakistani hostility. Islamabad, eager to draw global attention to the issue, welcomed his involvement. But for India, Trump’s overtures were unwelcome. His statements threw a wrench into years of carefully balanced U.S. policy in the region.

Historically, Washington has leaned toward India as a strategic counterweight to China’s growing influence. Trump’s willingness to side with Pakistan—even symbolically—raised concerns in New Delhi. It risked undermining U.S.-India relations, which had grown warmer under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Their scheduled meeting at the recent G7 summit in Canada never happened. Trump left early, and while the two leaders later spoke by phone, Modi reaffirmed India’s long-standing position. He stated there would be no third-party interference in Kashmir. “India does not and will never accept mediation,” the Indian government stated bluntly.

Timing, Strategy, and Power Lunches

Pakistan’s decision to nominate Trump for the Nobel Prize came just days after an extraordinary event: a private lunch between Trump and Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The significance wasn’t lost on anyone. It was the first time a Pakistani military leader had received such an invitation to the White House while a civilian government was active back home.

The visit sparked speculation about deeper cooperation and political recalibrations. Was Pakistan trying to keep Trump, now a central figure again in American politics, on its side as regional tensions evolve?

Some experts believe the timing of the nomination is anything but coincidental.

“Trump may still hold considerable sway in Washington, and Islamabad knows it,” said a political analyst in Lahore. “This is about leverage, visibility, and reminding the world that Pakistan has options—and friends—in high places.”

Divided Voices in Pakistan

While government officials praised Trump’s role as a peacemaker, not everyone in Pakistan celebrated the move. In fact, the decision to endorse Trump—especially amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza war—stirred deep controversy at home.

Critics pointed to Trump’s vocal support of Israel during its military campaign in Gaza and his hardline stance on Iran as reasons he shouldn’t be anywhere near a peace prize nomination.

“Trump is no hero,” said Talat Hussain, a respected political commentator and television host, in a blunt social media post. “He’s cheerleading Israeli aggression and poking at Iran. What happens if he turns around and hugs Modi again in a few months?”

That concern isn’t far-fetched. Trump’s relationship with Modi, though rocky at times, has historically been friendly. A sudden political shift could leave Pakistan out in the cold. This makes the public praise even more of a calculated gamble.

Feeding the Ego or Playing the Game?

Mushahid Hussain, a senior political figure and former chair of Pakistan’s Senate Defence Committee, brushed off the criticism. “If flattering Trump gets us what we need, why not?” he shrugged. “Every European leader is doing it. We’re just playing the game.”

And Trump’s ego? It’s no secret. From his self-congratulatory posts to lengthy lists of conflicts he claims to have resolved—including the Abraham Accords and even North Korea—Trump has positioned himself as a global peacemaker in waiting.

In a recent social media rant, he wrote, “I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do.” He added that his efforts in stopping India and Pakistan from going to war were largely ignored by the press and global institutions alike.

What’s Next for the Nomination?

For now, Pakistan’s Nobel nomination remains just that—a nomination. Any government or qualified organization can put forward a name for consideration, but there’s no guarantee it will move forward. As of now, the Nobel Committee has not commented, nor has the White House issued a response.

Still, the move has undeniably placed Trump back into the global spotlight. His role in South Asia is being reassessed through a different lens. Whether the Nobel Committee takes the bait or not, Pakistan has already achieved something else. It’s made sure its voice—and its version of the story—is heard loud and clear.

In a region fraught with deep-rooted hostilities, fragile alliances, and shifting loyalties, that alone may be worth its weight in gold. Or perhaps even a peace prize.