(Image credits: AP)
NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump on Friday once again claimed credit for helping ease tensions between India and Pakistan, making the assertion more than 60 times to date.The remarks came during a meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House, marking Mamdani’s first formal interaction with the president following his historic election victory.During the Oval Office discussion, Trump referred to the May confrontation between the two nations, saying, “I did eight peace deals of countries, including India and Pakistan,” as quoted by ANI. Earlier in the week, Trump claimed he had threatened both countries with 350 per cent tariffs if hostilities continued.India, however, has consistently dismissed any suggestion of third-party mediation. The conflict began after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians. After four days of drone and missile exchanges, both sides reached an understanding on May 10 to end hostilities.Friday’s visit also highlighted Mamdani’s historic election as New York City’s first South Asian and first Muslim mayor. He defeated Republican Curtis Sliwa and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent with a last-minute endorsement from Trump.