Washington, Feb 20 (NationPress) Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed high praise for US President Donald Trump during the inaugural session of the Board of Peace, acknowledging his role in averting a potential conflict between India and Pakistan. However, despite the commendations, a bilateral meeting with the American leader was not secured during his visit to Washington.

Even a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department's Foggy Bottom headquarters did not happen. Reports suggest that the Pakistani delegation actively sought these bilateral discussions with both Trump and Rubio.

While addressing the assembly, Sharif noted that Trump’s involvement had “possibly averted the loss of tens of millions of lives,” and stated: “You have undeniably proven to be a man of peace.”

He also remarked to Trump that “we are indeed the saviors of South Asia,” highlighting Washington’s crucial role in easing regional tensions.

Sharif commended Trump’s “distinct initiative” and “dynamic leadership,” asserting that his “bold diplomacy has undoubtedly fostered calm in numerous international hotspots.”

Additionally, the Pakistani leader endorsed the Gaza peace framework introduced at the gathering, declaring that “the residents of Palestine have long suffered from illegal occupation and significant hardship,” and advocated for “a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination through the establishment of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine.”

He emphasized that Trump’s initiatives would “be recorded in the pages of history.”

Nonetheless, despite Sharif’s enthusiastic public support for Trump’s diplomatic endeavors, no formal meeting was arranged between him and the US President during the event. There was also no engagement between Sharif and Secretary of State Rubio, despite expectations that a meeting would occur.

The lack of a direct conversation with Trump is particularly noteworthy given Sharif’s public endorsement of US mediation in South Asia. While Islamabad has shown support for Washington’s role, the visit did not lead to a direct engagement with US leadership.

Earlier in the event, Trump recounted how he intervened during heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. He mentioned that he told both nations: “I am not making trade deals with you two if you don’t resolve this,” and warned of imposing “200 percent tariffs on each of your countries” if the conflict continued.

Reflecting on the situation, Trump stated, “These are two powerful nuclear nations. I don’t want to speculate on what could have happened, but, you know, serious consequences were possible.” He continued by saying, “We reached a deal within days” and acknowledged having spoken with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he described as “a great man.”

Both India and Pakistan, nuclear-armed neighbors, have fought several wars since 1947 and remain divided over the Kashmir issue. Though ceasefire agreements have held in recent times, tensions between the two nations continue to attract international scrutiny, especially during times of escalation.