US President Trump says defusing India-Pakistan tensions his ‘great success’, claims credit may never come

Washington: US President Donald Trump has said that persuading India and Pakistan to step back from the brink of heightened tensions was a “great success” of his administration — one for which he believes he may never receive due credit.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump remarked that the situation between the two South Asian neighbours had reached a dangerous point, warning that the next phase could have been “nuclear.”

“It’s a huge success, for which I may never be credited,” Trump said. “There was a lot of hatred between the two countries. Both are major nuclear powers. They were not small, they were very angry.”

Responding to a question on foreign policy achievements ahead of his Middle East visit, Trump said he was using trade to foster peace between nations.

“India… it is one of the countries with the highest tariffs in the world. Did you know that they are ready to cut their tariffs for the US by 100%?” he said.

When asked whether a trade deal with India was nearing finalisation, Trump replied, “Yes, it will come soon. I am in no hurry. Look, everyone wants to make a deal with us.”

He also mentioned other countries keen on trade agreements. “South Korea wants to make a deal… But I am not going to make a deal with everyone. I am only going to set the (tariff) limit. I’ll make some more deals… Because I can’t — you can’t meet so many people. I have 150 countries that want to make a deal.”