Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though unable to attend the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh due to prior commitments, was warmly praised by US President Donald Trump, leaving Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visibly uneasy.

Co-hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the summit saw Trump call India “a great country” led by “a very good friend of mine,” referring to Modi. “He’s done a fantastic job. I think Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together,” Trump said, smiling as cameras rolled.

The light-hearted remark triggered laughter among world leaders. Turning to Sharif, Trump invited him to speak — an apparent impromptu move. Caught off guard, Sharif used the moment to shower Trump with effusive praise, calling the day “one of the greatest in modern history” and crediting Trump’s leadership for achieving peace and preventing nuclear escalation between India and Pakistan.

Sharif even announced that Pakistan would nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, drawing a slightly embarrassed reaction from the US President, who admitted he hadn’t expected such remarks.

Trump has often highlighted his role in brokering peace, including the Gaza truce and facilitating hostage exchanges. During his address, he also mentioned Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, calling him “my favourite field marshal.”

Sharif and Munir recently visited the White House to seek US cooperation in developing Pasni Port in Balochistan, aiming to turn it into a strategic export hub. However, Pakistan continues to struggle with insurgencies in Balochistan, PoK, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alongside economic instability and rising internal dissent.