Trump says Pakistan-India dispute is settled
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that hostilities between Pakistan and India were settled, after he urged the two countries to focus on trade instead of war.
He told U.S. troops at a base in Qatar during a Gulf tour that Pakistan and India were happy with that.
The nuclear-armed neighbours halted their worst fighting in nearly three decades after agreeing to a ceasefire on Saturday, following diplomacy and pressure from the United States.
(Reporting by Nayera Abdallah and Gram Slattery, Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Pakistan PM Sharif pays tribute to 'brave soldiers' on Eid Al Adha
As Pakistan celebrated Eid Al Adha on Saturday, June 7, its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took the opportunity to honour the sacrifices of the "brave soldiers of our Armed Forces." "As we offer the symbolic sacrifice today, let us also honour the sacrifices of our valiant sons of the soil, especially the brave soldiers of our Armed Forces, who have once again proven their unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve in the successful conduct of Operation Bunyan Um Marsoos," the Pakistan premier said in a post on X. After tensions escalated between nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India following the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir in April, India launched its military campaign 'Operation Sindoor.' Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyan Um Marsoos. After four days of conflict, US President Donald Trump brokered a "full and immediate ceasefire". "Their steadfast defence of our sovereignty and territorial integrity during the recent military aggression by India has written a new and glorious chapter in our nation's history. The entire country salutes their selfless service as well as the sacrifice of our innocent civilians," he further said. The 73-year-old also took the moment to reflect on the suffering of Palestinian "brothers and sisters." "This Eid also reinforces the values of empathy and compassion. We must remember and reach out to those in need, particularly our Palestinian brothers and sisters who continue to suffer from inhumane atrocities and hunger under a ruthless blockade," Sharif said. "Let us also draw inspiration from this Eid day to promote peace, justice, and compassion in our society and beyond," he added. Eid greetings to world leaders Sharif also had telephonic conversations with several leaders from around the world and wished them on the blessed occasion of Eid Al Adha. Sharif wished Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on the occasion and expressed his gratitude for Cairo's constructive role during the recent Pakistan-India crisis. Sharif also spoke to Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as well as Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Mubarak Al Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait.
The National
11 hours ago
- The National
Syria receives major wave of investments in six months since Assad's fall
Syria has attracted growing international investment and aid commitments in the six months since the fall of the regime of former president Bashar Al Assad, as the country seeks to rebuild its shattered economy. This rapid influx of investment marks a stark contrast to the years of economic decline and isolation that defined the country's post-2011 era. Since Mr Al Assad's departure last December, investors from across the region and beyond have started to take a stake in Syria's post-conflict recovery. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were among the first nations to endorse the country's new leadership, with President Ahmad Al Shara invited to visit all three countries a handful of times since he took office in a bid to secure economic support. Major commitments include a $7 billion energy infrastructure deal led by Qatar's UCC Holding, a $6.5 billion aid pledge from international donors and an $800 million port development agreement with Dubai-based DP World. Half a century of recovery Despite the momentum, Syria's reconstruction needs range between $400 billion, according to the World Bank, and $1 trillion, as estimated by Mohammad Al-Shaar, Syria's Minister of Economy and Industry, last month. In February 2025, the UNDP published a report in which it estimated that Syria's economy could take half a century to recover to prewar levels. Before the 2011 uprising, Syria's economy was valued at $67.5 billion, ranking 68th globally and comparable to economies like Paraguay and Slovenia according to the World Bank. By 2023, however, years of conflict and sanctions had reduced the country's gross domestic product by 85 per cent to just $9 billion, placing it 129th in the global rankings. Between 2000 and 2010, Syria enjoyed steady economic growth averaging 4.5 per cent annually, with inflation below 5 per cent. At its peak, nominal GDP reached $60 billion, and the average income per member of the population approached $3,000. People power Despite the investments and interest, a key challenge will be getting the country workforce-ready. The prolonged war in Syria has displaced millions, with more than 6.2 million Syrians registered as refugees, and an additional 7.2 million internally displaced. This mass displacement has resulted in a substantial reduction in the available labour force, particularly in critical sectors such as construction and health care. A significant portion of the population has also experienced disruptions in education and vocational training, leading to a skills gap that hampers reconstruction efforts. To address these challenges, new initiatives like cash-for-work programmes have been introduced. These programmes aim to provide immediate employment opportunities while simultaneously rebuilding essential infrastructure. They also offer on-the-job training, helping to bridge the skills gap and empower communities to participate actively in the nation's recovery.
The National
14 hours ago
- The National
Iran blasts US travel ban citing 'deep hostility' to Iranians and Muslims
Iran on Saturday said the US travel ban on Iranian citizens and 11 other mostly Middle Eastern and African countries was a sign of a 'racist mentality'. The move, which is expected to take place on June 9, is "a clear sign of the dominance of a supremacist and racist mentality among American policymakers," Alireza Hashemi-Raja, the foreign ministry's director general for the affairs of Iranians abroad said in a statement. The decision "indicates the deep hostility of American decision-makers towards the Iranian and Muslim people", Mr Hashemi-Raja said. US President Donald Trump's decision will bar citizens from 12 countries including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Mr Trump said the list could be revised and new countries could be added. The ban, which Mr Trump said was necessary to protect against "foreign terrorists", is a similar move he implemented during his first term in office from 2017 to 2021, when he barred travellers from seven Muslim-majority nations. The ban has been justified on national security grounds following a firebomb attack at a pro-Israel rally in Colorado. The alleged attacker, Mohamed Soliman, is from Egypt, which is not on the list. Mr Hashemi-Raja said the policy "violates fundamental principles of international law" and deprives "hundreds of millions of people of the right to travel based solely on their nationality or religion". The foreign ministry official said that the ban was discriminatory and would "entail international responsibility for the US government", without elaborating. Since 1979 Iranian revolution, Washington and Tehran severed diplomatic ties and relations have remained deeply strained since. It is known that the US is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran. According to figures from Tehran's foreign ministry, there were some 1.5 million Iranians in the US in 2020. Mr Trump enacted a so-called Muslim ban during his first term, barring citizens of several Muslim-majority countries and others from entering the US. Travellers from Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen were barred from entry. The policy went through several iterations before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Mr Trump has blamed the immigration policies of former president Joe Biden for rising crime in the country, and he has been swift to issue executive orders, cracking down on people entering the country illegally.
