By US President Donald Trump has once again commented on the brief military conflict between Pakistan and India, claiming that eight planes were “essentially” shot down during the confrontation earlier this year.
Trump’s Statement During Miami Event
Speaking at the American Business Forum in Miami, President Trump said that in just eight months, he had ended multiple global conflicts — including those involving Pakistan and India.
“I was in the middle of a trade deal with both of them, and suddenly I read they were going to war. Eight planes, seven planes were shot down — an eighth was badly damaged. But eight planes were shot down essentially,” Trump stated.
He further explained that he used trade pressure to push both nations toward peace, telling them:
“I’m not trading with you; we are not making any deals if you’re at war with each other.”
According to Trump, this warning led both countries to agree to a ceasefire the next day, allowing trade discussions to resume.
“Tariffs did that. Without tariffs, it would have never happened,” he added.
Conflicting Narratives Between India and Pakistan
Both countries have contradicting accounts of the May confrontation.
-
Pakistan claims it shot down six Indian fighter jets, including advanced models such as the Rafale.
-
India, however, admits to “some losses” but rejects the figure presented by Pakistan.
Earlier, Trump had said that five to seven aircraft were destroyed in the conflict, but his latest remarks raise that number to eight.
Background of the May Conflict
The conflict erupted after an attack on Hindu tourists in occupied Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied involvement and called India’s version fabricated and politically motivated.
For four days, both countries exchanged missile strikes, artillery fire, and drone attacks, resulting in dozens of casualties. The situation escalated rapidly until diplomatic intervention reportedly helped achieve a truce on May 10.
During his United Nations address in September, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed that Pakistan’s Air Force had turned “seven Indian jets into scrap,” echoing Trump’s earlier figures.
Why Trump’s Statement Matters
Trump’s latest comments highlight his continued effort to portray himself as a global peace negotiator, using economic leverage and tariff threats as tools for diplomacy.
The statement also reignites debate over the extent of American involvement in mediating conflicts between the nuclear-armed neighbors, India and Pakistan.
