WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed President Donald Trump’s controversial claim that he helped end tensions between India and Pakistan. His remarks sparked debate at the State Department briefing on July 9. Rubio spoke during an open cabinet meeting, where he listed foreign policy achievements from Trump’s first six months in office.
Among them, he said, “We prevented and ended a war between India and Pakistan.” His statement drew sharp responses from reporters and foreign governments. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed Rubio’s claim during her daily briefing. When asked about India’s repeated denials of any U.S. role, Bruce said, “That’s an opinion. Some opinions are wrong.”
She did not directly challenge the Indian government’s version. However, she added, “The world is playing out in front of us in real time. Everyone will have an opinion.” Bruce emphasized that she believed her views were rarely wrong. Bruce spoke at length about how technology now lets people follow global events instantly. She said this has made it easier for the public to form opinions, but it also adds pressure to understand facts correctly.
India has consistently rejected claims that Trump or his administration mediated between India and Pakistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly told Trump in a recent phone call that there was no third-party involvement in talks with Pakistan. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also denied the claim during his visit to the United States. He said India and Pakistan handled the situation directly without any foreign help.
Military officials from both countries have confirmed this. Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations, Maj. Gen. Kashif Abdullah contacted his Indian counterpart, Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, to initiate a ceasefire. This direct communication suggests no outside country played a role. During the State Department briefing, a journalist from Pakistan questioned Bruce’s statement. He used harsh language about members of Modi’s cabinet and pressed her to clarify the U.S. role.
Bruce responded by defending the Trump administration. She said Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary Rubio were committed to helping ease tensions in the region. She did not name Indian or Pakistani officials in her reply. Instead, she spoke generally about the nature of diplomacy and public perception. “The fact is that we understand in front of us every day the clarity of what’s transpiring in our world,” Bruce said.
The briefing took an unusual turn when the journalist said Pakistan’s military chief, Gen. Asim Munir, had nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Bruce acknowledged the comment. “I think the President has made it clear that he doesn’t expect ever to win something of that sort,” she said. “But he deserves every prize.”
She mentioned the Abraham Accords, a peace deal Trump helped broker in the Middle East, as a reason he should be considered for such awards. “There are many things he deserves,” she said. “But what he has received is the biggest prize of all, which is the presidency of the United States.”
Despite claims from U.S. officials, no television footage or official records show Trump or his team actively mediating between India and Pakistan during the time in question. The situation remains a topic of debate, with both India and Pakistan holding firm on their version of events. Meanwhile, the State Department continues to defend the former president’s foreign policy record.
