Washington: In a surprising turn of events, Pakistan has officially nominated former U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his “decisive diplomatic intervention” and “pivotal leadership” in de-escalating the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
The nomination, announced via Pakistan’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), credited Trump’s efforts for helping secure a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Islamabad lauded Trump’s role in facilitating dialogue that led to a de-escalation, hailing it as a model of “robust diplomatic engagement.”
Speaking at a press conference on June 20, Trump welcomed the nomination but remarked that it was long overdue. “I should have received the Nobel Peace Prize four or five times by now,” he said, referencing his past involvement in international peace efforts — from the Abraham Accords in the Middle East to his claimed mediation in Rwanda-Congo and now the India-Pakistan ceasefire.
“They don’t give me the Nobel because I’m not a liberal,” he quipped, claiming that his diplomatic outreach in crises such as Israel-Iran, Russia-Ukraine, and Serbia-Kosovo has gone unrecognized.
Meanwhile, India has firmly rejected claims of foreign intervention. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking from the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, reiterated India’s long-standing policy: “India does not and will never accept third-party mediation.” He confirmed that the ceasefire following Operation Sindoor was bilaterally agreed upon by the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.
Earlier in May, Trump had claimed that an overnight round of U.S.-facilitated discussions had led to a “full and immediate” ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He also hinted at potential economic deals with both nations — a claim flatly denied by Indian officials, who emphasized that no such negotiations had taken place.
Trump’s nomination also follows a high-profile luncheon at the White House with General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff. In post-meeting remarks, Trump credited Munir for “ending the war” and indicated that economic talks were ongoing with both Islamabad and New Delhi.
However, not all are convinced. Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton dismissed Trump’s efforts as performative. “He’s chasing the Nobel because Obama got it in 2009,” Bolton said, adding that Trump’s actual impact on major conflicts like Iran has been minimal.
Pakistan’s statement also highlighted Trump’s previous offers to mediate the Kashmir dispute, portraying him as a figure of “pragmatic diplomacy” and an architect of “effective peace-building” during turbulent times — especially with ongoing global crises like the Gaza humanitarian situation.
Whether the Nobel Committee will consider Trump’s candidacy remains to be seen. However, the nomination has reignited global debate about Western influence in South Asia and the politics of peace prizes in an increasingly polarized world.
