Washington: US President Donald Trump has said that the newly formed Board of Peace comprises mostly leaders from Middle Eastern countries as well as representatives from across the world, emphasizing that global cooperation is essential to ensuring lasting stability in Gaza and beyond.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Board of Peace in Washington, President Trump said participating countries had been “generous with money” and committed to supporting peace efforts.
“There is nothing more important than peace, and there is nothing less expensive than peace. When you go to wars, it costs you a hundred times what it costs to make peace,” he remarked.
Trump noted that while he had previously endorsed candidates within the United States, he was now also acknowledging foreign leaders for their roles in promoting stability. Among those he praised was Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“Prime Minister Sharif — I like this man — of Pakistan,” Trump said.
“Because there was some fighting going on when I got to know him and your Field Marshal, great general, great Field Marshal, great guy.
”Recalling a meeting attended by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump said Prime Minister Shehbaz had publicly credited him with preventing a major war between Pakistan and India.
“He said in front of our Chief of Staff Susie Wiles that ‘nobody knows this, but I believe that President Trump saved 25 million lives when he stopped the war between us and India,’” Trump stated, addressing the Pakistani premier directly: “You made that statement … it was really a beautiful thing.
”Referring to the four-day conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025, Trump described the situation as intense and dangerous. “That war was raging, planes were being shot down,” he said.
He explained that he personally contacted both Islamabad and New Delhi after learning of the escalation. Trump said he was already familiar with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and had developed ties with Pakistan through trade discussions.“
I got on the phone with both of them,” Trump said. “I told them, I am not doing trade deals with you two guys if you don’t settle this up.”
According to Trump, both countries initially resisted but reconsidered when faced with economic consequences.
He further revealed that he warned both nations of imposing a 200 percent tariff if hostilities continued. “One of them, I won’t say which one, said, ‘No! You can’t do that.’ They both wanted to fight, but when it came to losing a lot of money, they said, ‘We don’t want to fight.’
”Trump claimed the crisis was resolved within two to three days through diplomatic engagement and economic pressure. “We solved that … in two to three days,” he said, reiterating his appreciation for Prime Minister Shehbaz.
Describing the conflict as more serious than publicly acknowledged, Trump said, “A lot of them say they weren’t fighting. But they were fighting. Eleven jets were shot down, very expensive jets.”
He added that significant progress had since been made in bilateral relations, calling Modi “a great man and a great guy.”
Turning to broader global institutions, President Trump said the United Nations had “great potential” but had not yet fully realized it. However, he expressed optimism about reform and renewed support.“
Someday, I will not be here, but the Board of Peace will become stronger. We are going to strengthen the UN. We will help it money-wise,” he concluded.
The Board of Peace meeting is aimed at overseeing post-war stabilization, reconstruction, and humanitarian coordination efforts, particularly in Gaza, while also serving as a broader diplomatic platform to prevent future regional conflicts.