President Donald Trump has once again claimed credit for averting a potential nuclear clash between India and Pakistan last year, calling the de-escalation a defining diplomatic victory of his second term. Speaking at a White House gathering to reflect on 2025 achievements, Trump recounted how the nuclear-armed neighbors were on the brink of disaster. "They were going to go nuke," he said bluntly, describing intense aerial combat where planes were shot down on both sides. The crisis peaked in May after India's strikes on suspected terror sites in Pakistan following a deadly attack on tourists, but a swift ceasefire on May 10 brought relief.

The standoff began with Operation Sindoor, India's response to the Pahalgam massacre that killed 26. Retaliatory actions followed, with Pakistan downing Indian jets and both nations heightening nuclear readiness. Trump intervened decisively, hosting Pakistan's leadership and using trade leverage—threats of tariffs alongside deal sweeteners—to push for calm.

"They shot down five planes," Trump noted, emphasizing the scale. Pakistan's Prime Minister reportedly thanked him personally for preventing catastrophe, estimating millions of lives saved. While India credits its own direct channels for the truce, Pakistani acknowledgments and Saudi backchanneling suggest U.S. pressure played a part, echoing historical American maneuvers in South Asian flashpoints. Trump bundled this into his boast of resolving "eight endless wars" rapidly, lamenting yet again his overlooked Nobel prospects. The episode underscores his deal-maker ethos, prioritizing immediate halts over thorny issues like Kashmir.

In unrelated violence, a powerful explosion tore through a Chinese-operated restaurant in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, killing seven people. The attack in the heart of the Afghan capital has no claimed responsibility yet, but it spotlights persistent instability under Taliban governance, with insurgents often targeting foreign-linked sites. Casualties included diners and staff, amid rising anti-China sentiments tied to regional investments. Authorities are investigating as the death toll may climb.