Trump Claims Credit for India-Pakistan De-escalation, Demands Gaza Ceasefire

NEW YORK: US President Donald Trump called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, dismissed climate change as the “greatest scam,” and claimed credit for averting wars, including between India and Pakistan, while criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Trump opened his speech by demanding an urgent end to the conflict in Gaza, where Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians.

“We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately. We have to stop it,” Trump said. “We have to get it done. We have to negotiate peace.”

He stressed the return of hostages, saying: “We want all 20 back… We want actually the 38 dead bodies back too.”

The president accused Hamas of rejecting peace offers, a claim denied by the Palestinian group, which blames Israel for blocking ceasefire efforts. He also criticized Western nations’ recent recognition of a Palestinian state, calling it a “reward” for Hamas’ October 7 attacks.

Trump shifted focus to climate policy, repeating his long-standing dismissal of climate science.

“This climate change, it’s the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, in my opinion,” he said. “No more global warming, no more global cooling. All of these predictions… were made by stupid people that have cost their countries fortunes.”

At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US President Donald Trump claimed credit for preventing seven wars, including a potential conflict between Pakistan and India. He criticized the UN for not supporting these peace efforts, emphasizing that the global community must play a united role to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump stated, “The United States will continue to work for peace worldwide,” and mentioned ongoing discussions around the Abraham Accords. He suggested that his efforts to stop wars should earn him a Nobel Prize. Reflecting on the UN’s role, Trump questioned its effectiveness, saying, “Where was the UN during ceasefires? Not once did I receive a call from the United Nations. The UN is not functioning according to its capacity.”

He further stressed America’s commitment to defending its security and sovereignty, highlighting Operation Midnight Hammer, in which Iran’s nuclear facilities were destroyed. Trump warned that no other leader could have executed such an operation and vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Regarding the Gaza conflict, Trump said that despite strong military and political ties with Israel, the US made serious attempts to broker a ceasefire. However, Hamas continuously rejected these proposals. He issued a stern message to Hamas, urging the immediate release of all 20 hostages and stressing the need for negotiations, while noting that 38 bodies have already been recovered.

Read more: Ishaq Dar Advances Pakistan’s Diplomacy at UNGA with Focus on Palestine, Bilateral Ties

Trump also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, expressing efforts to stop the bloodshed where thousands of soldiers and civilians are reportedly dying each week. Contrary to expectations that Russia would quickly win the conflict, the war has dragged on. He accused India and China of fueling the conflict by continuing to buy oil and gas from Russia and called for an immediate halt to these purchases. Trump warned of imposing heavy tariffs if Russia refuses to negotiate, urging Europe to stop all energy imports from Russia.

On immigration, Trump criticized the United Nations for supporting illegal immigration into the US. He announced that illegal entries have dropped to zero in the last four months of his administration, contrasting it with the Biden administration’s period when millions entered the country illegally. He also boasted about restoring law and order in Washington D.C., which he called the “crime capital,” by deploying troops and controlling smuggling and crime.

The US President called for a global ban on the production of biological weapons and pledged to lead international efforts to enforce the Biological Weapons Convention. He warned about the dangers of nuclear proliferation, calling nuclear weapons an existential threat to the world.

Concluding, Trump said his administration had brought positive changes within eight months, improving the economy, reducing inflation, increasing investments, and securing the borders. He dismissed climate change as a hoax, while acknowledging the potential and risks of artificial intelligence.

Trump’s speech underscored his administration’s focus on security, peace initiatives, and global leadership, while criticizing the UN and some global powers for their roles in current conflicts and crises.