White House endorses Trump for Nobel Peace Prize: What’s the selection process and what India said

US President Donald Trump - File Photo

The White House on Friday called for Nobel Peace Prize for Donald Trump, asserting that the US President has brokered one peace deal per month during his six months in office.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump has ended six conflicts, including those involving India & Pakistan and Israel & Iran, declaring: “it is well past time that Trump should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize”.

“President Trump has now ended conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia, Israel and Iran, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, India and Pakistan, Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia," Leavitt said.

What is Nobel Peace Prize?

The Nobel Peace Prize, established in Alfred Nobel’s 1895 will, is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. It honours individuals or organisations judged to have “…done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

Who decides and who can nominate?

Unlike other Nobel Prizes awarded in Sweden, the Peace Prize is awarded in Norway. A five-member committee appointed by Norway’s Parliament makes the selection. Valid nominations must come from eligible individuals, including heads of government, professors, former laureates, and peace research directors; no self-nominations are permitted.

Who has publicly nominated Trump?

• Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who personally handed Trump a nomination letter at the White House, citing his role in forging peace in the Middle East.
• The Government of Pakistan, which announced via X its intention to recommend Trump for the prize, praising him for de-escalating the India‑Pakistan conflict.
• US Congressman Buddy Carter (R‑GA), who nominated Trump for brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
• US Congressman Darrell Issa (R‑CA) also submitted a nomination, emphasizing Trump’s peace efforts in the Middle East and beyond.
• Additionally, a group of African leaders (from Gabon, Guinea‑Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal) voiced public endorsement for nominating Trump, citing his role in the Rwanda‑DR Congo deal.
• Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol has also publicly announced Cambodia’s plan to nominate Trump for facilitating peace between Thailand and Cambodia and reducing tariffs.

• Nominations closed on January 31, 2025, with 338 candidates (244 individuals and 94 organizations) this year.
• The Norwegian Nobel Committee reviews eligible nominations, consults external experts, creates a shortlist, and votes between February and October.
• The winner is announced in early October, and the award ceremony is held on December 10 in Oslo, Norway.
• Recipients receive a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash award (around 10 million SEK, or ~$900,000 USD).

When asked about these claims, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “As far as the statements of the White House are concerned, please take your question to them." India has not publicly endorsed Trump’s Nobel candidacy.