Trump Says He Expected India’s Retaliation, Hopes Tensions Ease Soon

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday commented on the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan, calling the situation “a shame” and urging both nations to step back from further confrontation.

Speaking to reporters shortly after news broke of Indian airstrikes on Pakistani territory, Trump said, “It’s a shame. We had just heard about it as we were walking into the Oval Office. People kind of expected something, given the history.”

Reflecting on the long-standing hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, Trump added, “They’ve been fighting for a long time—decades and even centuries, if you really think about it.” Asked whether he had any specific message for India and Pakistan, he replied simply, “No, I just hope it ends very quickly.”

Following the airstrikes, a statement released by the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. claims that, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval spoke with U.S. NSA and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to brief them on the military action and its objectives.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson acknowledged the reports but said Washington had no assessment to share at the moment, noting that the situation was still developing and being closely watched.

The United States has in recent days urged both countries to reduce tensions and pursue a “responsible solution.” While American leaders, including Trump, voiced support for India following the April 22 terror attack that left 26 people dead in Pahalgam, they stopped short of directly accusing Pakistan.

Indian officials confirmed on Wednesday that the strikes were part of “Operation Sindoor,” a targeted military response aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation reportedly focused on nine sites linked to the planning and coordination of cross-border attacks inside India.