Trump repeats claim that 250% tariff threat stopped India-Pakistan conflict; India invites Pakistan to SCO forum

US President Donald Trump has repeated his claim that he threatened both India and Pakistan with 250 percent tariffs to stop the military conflict between the two countries. Speaking at an election rally in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Wednesday, he said he contacted the prime ministers of both countries and warned them they would not be able to trade with the US if they did not stop the fighting.

According to Trump, five of the eight wars he claims to have ended were settled through trade pressure. India, however, has denied any external mediation in the ceasefire, maintaining that it came about because of its own military action.

Meanwhile, nearly 18 months after "Operation Sindoor," India has invited Pakistan to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) first Civilisation Dialogue Forum. According to news agency ANI, Pakistan's Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, has been invited to lead the delegation to the event in New Delhi from November 20 to 22.

Pakistan has yet to confirm whether the minister himself will attend or send another representative. The event, to be jointly organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Culture, aims to promote cultural exchange and the preservation of shared heritage among the SCO's 10 member countries.