A US State Department official firmly dismissed a Pakistani reporter’s accusation that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi obstructed a peace initiative between India and Pakistan. The exchange took place during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The reporter suggested that Pakistan supported the US’s mediation efforts and believed former President Donald Trump could win a Nobel Peace Prize if he resolved the Kashmir conflict. He also took a jab at Modi, noting, “He’s the same gentleman that was not allowed to come to the US till 10 years ago.”
When asked whether the US was disappointed that PM Modi didn’t embrace the so-called “peace deal,” State Department official Thomas Pigott remained focused on the broader objective.
“Our focus is the ceasefire and encouraging direct communication,” Pigott stated clearly, reiterating this stance several times during the interaction. “That is what we are happy to see. That’s where our focus remains.”
US on Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize Chances
Responding to claims that Trump could be considered for a Nobel Peace Prize, Pigott described the former president as both a “peacemaker” and “dealmaker.”
“He’s a peacemaker. He values peace. He’s also a dealmaker, and he has shown that again and again—pursuing peace and wanting to see conflicts come to an end,” Pigott said.
Drone Question Deflected
The reporter then shifted the conversation to India’s reported use of Israeli drones in Operation Sindoor, questioning whether this might complicate relations between Pakistan and Israel, especially in light of Trump’s Abraham Accords, which aimed to build bridges between Jews, Muslims, and Christians.
Pigott declined to comment on India’s drone use, once again stressing that the US focus is solely on maintaining ceasefire and promoting direct communication between India and Pakistan.
“The President is a dealmaker, he’s a peacemaker, but nothing to comment further beyond that,” Pigott concluded.
