Trump Praises Modi at Gaza Summit, Sharif Responds with Praise

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received commendation from US President Donald Trump during the Gaza Peace Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh on October 13, 2023. Modi’s absence from the summit, due to prior commitments, did not prevent Trump from celebrating his leadership. This moment, however, stirred discomfort for Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was present during the remarks.

In his address, Trump lauded India as “a great country” and referred to Modi as “a very good friend of mine at the top.” His comments garnered laughter from world leaders in attendance, particularly when he turned to Sharif, expressing hope that India and Pakistan would “live very nicely together.” The lightheartedness of the moment was evident, as Trump paused to invite Sharif to speak, leaving the Pakistani leader momentarily taken aback.

Sharif’s response focused on praising Trump’s role in the peace process. He described the day as “one of the greatest in contemporary history” and attributed significant credit to Trump for preventing a nuclear escalation between India and Pakistan. Sharif thanked the US President for his intervention, suggesting that without such efforts, the situation could have escalated into catastrophic conflict. He also announced plans to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize once again.

While Trump has often claimed credit for mediating peace efforts, including the recent Gaza ceasefire, he seemed surprised by Sharif’s enthusiastic praise. During his address, Trump also mentioned General Asim Munir, the chief of Pakistan’s military, emphasizing the army’s substantial influence over the civilian government. “Asim Munir is my favourite field marshal,” Trump stated, highlighting the close ties between the military and political spheres in Pakistan.

Sharif had recently accompanied Munir to the White House to discuss US support for developing Pasni, a deepwater port in Balochistan. Their goal is to transform Pasni from a fishing and coastal trade hub into a significant mineral export terminal with American assistance. This initiative also aims to secure US help in combating an ongoing Baloch insurgency.

Balochistan faces severe challenges, including a human rights crisis exacerbated by military operations. Reports indicate that civilians, including women and children, have suffered casualties from gunfire and aerial bombardments. The US Department of State designated the Baloch Liberation Army as a foreign terrorist organization in August, complicating the region’s stability.

Within Pakistan, dissent is emerging regarding diplomatic strategies. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has publicly stated that China is a more reliable ally than the United States. Pakistan is grappling with various challenges beyond Balochistan, including an insurgency in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, armed clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a resurgence of Islamist violence, and economic hardships.

These issues reflect a broader instability in Pakistan, leading to perceptions that the current leadership’s diplomatic overtures are desperate attempts to maintain power. Amid these geopolitical dynamics, the future of Pakistan’s foreign relations and internal stability remains uncertain.