Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday praised US President Donald Trump for his role in bringing “peace” between India and Pakistan, describing him as a “transformative president.”
The remarks came during a bilateral meeting at the White House and marked a significant shift in Canada’s diplomatic tone towards Washington.
Carney credited Trump’s influence on global stability and his impact on international affairs.
“You are a transformative president the transformation in the economy, unprecedented commitments of NATO partners to defence spending, peace from India, Pakistan through to Azerbaijan, Armenia, disabling Iran as the force of terror,” Carney said in the Oval Office as Trump nodded approvingly.
Carney, who assumed office in March, had previously met Trump in May during an earlier visit to Washington. His latest comments suggest a warmer approach to the US administration after months of tension over Trump’s tariff threats and his controversial suggestion earlier this year that Canada should be “annexed” into the United States.
Trump, in a separate address on Monday, took credit for preventing multiple global conflicts through his tariff policies, including what he claimed was a near war between India and Pakistan.
“If I didn’t have the power of tariffs, you would have at least four of the seven wars raging,” he said. “If you look at India and Pakistan, they were ready to go at it. Seven planes were shot down... I don’t want to say exactly what I said, but what I said was very effective.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed that India and Pakistan agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire on May 10 after a “long night” of discussions reportedly mediated by Washington.
He has mentioned this claim nearly 50 times since, asserting that his diplomacy “helped settle” tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
India, however, has consistently rejected any notion of third-party mediation. The Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that the ceasefire understanding was reached directly through established military communication channels between the Directors General of Military Operations of both countries.
The ceasefire followed Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7 against terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians.
The operation led to four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes before both sides agreed to cease hostilities.
Despite New Delhi’s denials, Trump continues to portray himself as a key mediator who “prevented a major war” in South Asia.
During their Oval Office meeting, Trump joked with Carney about Canada’s close ties with the United States, quipping that Canada could be the “51st US State.”
Carney laughed as Trump added, “We’ve had some natural conflict, but we’ll probably work that out. We’ve had a strong relationship, and your hosting of the various countries that showed up was a beautiful job you did.”
Also Read : Carney eyes H1B talent after Trump imposes $100k fee
Trump said the two leaders would discuss trade, Gaza, and broader peace efforts in the Middle East.
“We’re in serious negotiations to a conflict — you could say 3,000 years, but it’s been raging for a long time and there’s a possibility we could have peace in the Middle East,” Trump said. “Our team is over there now, and every country in the world has supported the plan.”
“There’s a real chance we could do something,” he added. “In the meantime, we’ll make deals and do things that are good for both of our countries.”
Carney, in response, lauded Trump’s leadership, reiterating his earlier praise.
“You are a transformative president. Since then, transformation in the economy, unprecedented commitment to the NATO partners to defence spending. Peace from India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Disabling Iran as a force of terror,” he said.
As Carney outlined the meeting’s agenda, Trump interjected with a laugh, “The merger of Canada and the United States!”
While the exchange was marked by humour and camaraderie, the backdrop remained tense, as the US continues to support Israel, and Canada recently recognised the Palestinian state on September 21.
Follow us
