&w=3840&q=100)
Pakistan nominates Trump for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize after Munir's US visit
The nomination was shared through an official post on X (formerly Twitter), where Pakistani officials praised Trump's 'decisive diplomatic intervention' and 'pivotal leadership' in preventing the conflict from spiralling further.
The news came shortly after Trump told reporters on Friday that he deserved the Nobel for a range of peace efforts — from calming tensions in South Asia to brokering a reported treaty between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, which he claims will be signed on 23 June.
India dismisses Trump's mediation claim
India has rejected Trump's repeated claims of mediation between the two nations. Officials in New Delhi have firmly rejected suggestions that any external power played a mediating role.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a 35-minute call with US President Donald Trump on 18 June, reaffirmed India's firm stand against third-party mediation on Pakistan-related issues.
PM Modi also dismissed Trump's claims of brokering peace, clarifying that the 10 May ceasefire followed direct military talks initiated by Islamabad, with no US involvement.
Pak's strategy of 'flattery' after Munir meets Trump
Trump's recent meeting with Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, at the White House seems to have been more than a diplomatic courtesy. The idea of a Nobel Prize nomination could have floated during the visit — part of what some analysts are calling a shrewd move by Islamabad.
While the prospect of a Nobel Prize may seem far-fetched, it aligns neatly with Trump's long-running narrative of being a global dealmaker.
What happens now?
There's a procedural hurdle: General Asim Munir, as Pakistan's Army Chief, does not meet the eligibility criteria to formally nominate a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. According to the Nobel Committee's rules, nominations can only be submitted by select individuals — including national lawmakers, heads of state, university professors in certain fields, and past laureates.
Still, the gesture appears to be more symbolic than procedural. By publicly endorsing US President Donald Trump, Pakistan is signalling diplomatic goodwill while appealing to Trump's self-image as a global dealmaker — a narrative central to his ongoing election campaign.
As for the Nobel Committee, it maintains strict confidentiality and does not comment on nominations, with records sealed for 50 years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
34 minutes ago
- Business Standard
US-Vietnam trade deal: Trump announces 20% import tariff, market access
US President Donald Trump has confirmed a new trade agreement between the United States (US) and Vietnam, under which a 20 per cent tariff will be imposed on Vietnamese goods entering the US. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social. He said that the agreement also includes tariff-free access for American products into Vietnamese markets. As part of the deal, Vietnam has agreed to a 40 per cent tariff on any goods that are brought into the country from elsewhere and then shipped to the US. This practice, known as transshipping, is often used to avoid existing trade restrictions. Notably, media reports have highlighted concerns that China has used Vietnam as a transshipment point for goods destined for the US. Great deal of cooperation: Trump He continued: 'The Terms are that Vietnam will pay the United States a 20 per cent Tariff on any and all goods sent into our Territory, and a 40 per cent Tariff on any Transshipping. In return, Vietnam will do something that they have never done before, give the United States of America TOTAL ACCESS to their Markets for Trade. In other words, they will 'OPEN THEIR MARKET TO THE UNITED STATES,' meaning that, we will be able to sell our product into Vietnam at ZERO Tariff.' Trump also added: 'It is my opinion that the SUV or, as it is sometimes referred to, Large Engine Vehicle, which does so well in the United States, will be a wonderful addition to the various product lines within Vietnam. Dealing with General Secretary To Lam, which I did personally, was an absolute pleasure. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' 'Just in time' deal The deal comes just days before a 90-day suspension on Trump's reciprocal tariffs is set to end. Once expired, those tariffs would have increased duties on imports from dozens of countries. Previously, Vietnamese goods entering the US faced a flat 46 per cent tariff under the Trimp administration's "reciprocal" measures.
News18
36 minutes ago
- News18
SCO Summit: India, Pakistan And The Curious Case Of Missing Fingers
How Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's SCO gambit is a case of a Bharat rising confidently, self-assuredly and surefootedly Not every agreement inked from a position of strength translates into strategic triumph. The 1971 war is a telling reminder. Bharat's decisive victory split Pakistan, created Bangladesh, and saw 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendering in Dhaka—one of the most humiliating defeats in modern military history. Yet, just months later, the Simla Agreement of 1972 exposed how battlefield gains could be squandered at the diplomatic table. Despite explicit warnings from then RAW chief RN Kao to 'count her fingers" after shaking hands with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mrs Indira Gandhi fell for his charm, unilaterally agreeing to release the Pakistani prisoners without even securing the return of Indian soldiers languishing in Pakistani jails. If all treaties signed from a point of strength are not success stories, then all treaties not signed aren't failures either. Last week, when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the SCO's joint statement on countering terrorism, he not only safeguarded Bharat's core security interests but also offered a glimpse of a country willing to stand firm—alone if necessary—in pursuit of its national priorities. The Defence Minister's conduct at the SCO summit reflects a growing confidence, maturity, and self-assuredness of the country while dealing with global powers. Unlike in the past, when New Delhi would have been tempted to make a compromise for the sake of 'consensus" or 'regional solidarity", today's Bharat doesn't mind walking that extra mile on treacherous terrains if the country's long-term interest so demands. The SCO draft statement was a watered-down document that, with Chinese collusion, sought to downplay Pakistan's terror connections. It also refused to acknowledge, far less condemn, Islamabad's sinister role in not just waging but also spreading global jihad. What particularly irked New Delhi was the refusal to give the dastardly Pahalgam attack a place in the draft statement. For Bharat—having borne the brunt of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism for decades—any endorsement of such a document would have compromised its core security interests. More so in the wake of the much successful Operation Sindoor, where Bharat drew for Pakistan—and the world—a new Lakshman Rekha on terrorism. Critics argue that Bharat should reconsider its engagement with institutions like the SCO, given their internal dynamics and frequent tilt against Bharat's interests. But there is a compelling counterpoint: Bharat's very participation forces these blocs to confront their inconsistencies. By attending and then refusing to endorse a flawed document, Bharat highlighted the SCO's duplicity on terrorism. New Delhi's presence gives the SCO a democratic legitimacy, especially when most of its member states lack genuine democratic credentials. At the same time, it does moderate the innate anti-Bharat tendencies of such institutions. Yet, the incident is also a reminder of the solitary nature of Bharat's fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The West's support often stops at rhetoric. Washington's Bharat policy is still largely China-driven, focused on counterbalancing Beijing rather than addressing Islamabad's terror machinery. Europe, preoccupied with internal crises, besides being wary of disturbing its fragile equations with Islamic states, rarely ventures beyond routine condemnations, followed by an exhortation to both sides to return to talks. Russia, Bharat's time-tested partner and an SCO member, finds itself increasingly aligned with China, compelled by geopolitical realities and economic compulsions after the Ukraine war. Moscow's growing dependence on Beijing inevitably narrows the space for unequivocal support to New Delhi, especially on issues where Chinese and Pakistani interests converge. Perhaps the most sobering takeaway from the SCO saga is the fact that Bharat is, in many ways, alone in its fight against terrorism emanating from Pakistan. While Western capitals may occasionally put up rhetorical support in Bharat's favour, very few will be willing to shun, far less confront, Pakistan for its terror connections. However, the path ahead is not without challenges. Bharat will likely face more such moments where standing up for its core interests may mean standing alone. The international system is inherently transactional. Allies shift their positions, interests evolve, and moral arguments often give way to strategic calculations. This reality makes it imperative for Bharat to continue diversifying its partnerships—deepening ties not just with the Quad countries but also with nations in Europe, ASEAN, Africa, and the Middle East. Simultaneously, Bharat must persist in exposing Pakistan's duplicity on terror at every available forum, denying Islamabad the international space it needs to whitewash its record. Be that as it may, the fact of the matter is that Bharat's conduct at the SCO summit reflects the case of a confident, self-assured, and surefooted nation. Yes, there is this concern of finding itself isolated on the international platform, but one needs to see it in the larger context of Bharat rising at an unprecedented pace and scale—a pace and scale that seem to be unnerving its friends and foes alike. The next couple of decades will be critical. As Bharat continues its unprecedented economic and geopolitical ascent, it will inevitably unsettle entrenched interests, both among rivals and even some partners. How deftly Bharat navigates this phase—balancing assertion with strategic partnerships, principle with pragmatism—will determine how swiftly it cements its place as a global power. The good thing is, as Rajnath Singh's resolute stance at the SCO shows, Naya Bharat not just counts the fingers after shaking hands with other powers; it has also started making them accountable if some of the fingers go missing after the handshake! About the Author Utpal Kumar Utpal Kumar is Opinion Editor, News18 and Firstpost. He can be reached at He tweets @utpal_kumar1 First Published:
Mint
37 minutes ago
- Mint
Donald Trump claims Vietnam agrees to 20% import tariffs, zero on US products
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday (July 2) that he has struck a new trade agreement with Vietnam, claiming the Socialist Republic will deliver 'unprecedented' access for American companies to the Vietnamese market. 'It is my Great Honor to announce that I have just made a Trade Deal with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam after speaking with To Lam, the Highly Respected General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. According to Trump, under the terms of the deal, Vietnam has agreed to pay a 20% tariff on 'any and all goods' it exports to the United States, and a 40% tariff on any goods that are transshipped through Vietnam. 'In return,' Trump claimed, 'Vietnam will do something that they have never done before—give the United States of America TOTAL ACCESS to their Markets for Trade.' Zero tariffs on US exports He added, 'In other words, they will 'OPEN THEIR MARKET TO THE UNITED STATES,' meaning that we will be able to sell our product into Vietnam at ZERO Tariff.' Trump singled out US auto manufacturers as likely beneficiaries of the agreement, particularly producers of large vehicles. 'It is my opinion that the SUV or, as it is sometimes referred to, Large Engine Vehicle, which does so well in the United States, will be a wonderful addition to the various product lines within Vietnam,' he said. Trump also emphasised his personal rapport with Vietnam's top official. 'Dealing with General Secretary To Lam, which I did personally, was an absolute pleasure,' he wrote.
