US President Donald Trump has pledged to become the first leader to bring lasting peace to Gaza, reaffirming his commitment to stability in the Middle East and South Asia while praising Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership.

Addressing a meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, President Trump said he was determined to secure sustainable peace in Gaza and ensure a brighter future for its people.

He noted that a recent agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia marked an important step toward regional stability.

The US president thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for visiting Washington, saying strong relations were built during challenging times. “I like him very much,” Trump remarked, referring to the Pakistani premier.

He also lauded Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, describing him as a “great personality” and a “fighter,” and commended his professional capabilities.

Referring to past Pakistan-India conflict in May 2025, Trump said that 11 Indian fighter jets were shot down during the escalation.

He said he conveyed a clear message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that heavy tariffs would be imposed if the conflict did not stop.

Trump said he had offered both Pakistan and India expanded trade opportunities, adding that a “good trade deal” had been reached with Pakistan.

The president further stated that he maintained positive relations with Iranian representatives and announced plans to visit China in April. He described his ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping as excellent.

Reiterating his broader foreign policy goals, Trump said he would continue to play a role in promoting peace and economic stability in the Middle East and South Asia.

The Board of Peace meeting, held at the United States Institute of Peace, was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the presidents of Indonesia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, US Vice President JD Vance, as well as the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Ahead of the session, President Trump posed for a group photograph with global leaders.

Notably, permanent members of the UN Security Council, including China, Russia and the United Kingdom, were not present at the meeting.