WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has claimed that 10 fighter jets were shot down during the recent Pakistan-India military conflict, doubling the number he previously reported. Speaking to Fox Business, Trump emphasized that his involvement helped prevent what he described as a potential nuclear confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Trump’s Account of the Conflict
“I settled eight wars. Of the eight wars, at least six were settled because of tariffs,” Trump told the network, referring to his broader foreign policy strategy. He added, “Like India and Pakistan — it would have been a nuclear war in my opinion. They were really going at it. Ten planes were shot down. They were going at it.”
Trump further claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had acknowledged his intervention saved at least 10 million lives, saying that without his pressure — including threats of economic tariffs — the conflict could have escalated into full-scale nuclear warfare.
While Trump has praised his role and credited Pakistan for acknowledging it, India has not recognized the US president’s intervention. Meanwhile, the Pakistani government nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to de-escalate the crisis.
Background of the May 2025 Clashes
The conflict, which took place in May 2025, was the most serious military confrontation between Pakistan and India in decades. It was sparked by a terrorist attack on tourists in IIOJK’s Pahalgam area, which New Delhi alleged was backed by Pakistan. Islamabad denied involvement and offered to participate in a neutral probe.
Trump Claims Eight Aircraft Were Downed in India-Pakistan Conflict
During the clashes, Pakistan reportedly shot down several Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, and destroyed dozens of drones. After roughly 87 hours of fighting, a ceasefire agreement was brokered by the United States on May 10, ending the short but intense standoff.
Controversial Statements
Trump linked his actions to his tariff strategy, suggesting that he had used economic pressure to influence international conflicts. “If you don’t settle this war, I’m going to charge you tariffs, because I don’t want to see people getting killed,” he said.
While his claims about the number of aircraft downed and his precise role have not been independently verified, his remarks have once again placed the US president at the center of discussions on nuclear deterrence and diplomacy in South Asia.
The Pakistan-India clash underscores the persistent tensions in the region, where any military confrontation carries the risk of rapid escalation, highlighting the importance of diplomatic mediation.
