US President Donald Trump has claimed that ten aircraft were shot down during the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India, raising his previously reported figures multiple times over the past months.
Trump made these remarks during an interview with Fox Business, which aired on Wednesday. The discussion initially focused on his trade policies, but Trump pivoted to international conflicts, emphasizing his role in mediating ceasefires.
Trump’s Comments on the Conflict
During the interview, the host praised Trump’s “reciprocity policy” and use of tariffs in trade negotiations. Trump responded:
“And that’s being very nice and gentle. Look, I settled eight wars. Out of the eight wars, at least six were settled because of tariffs… I said, ‘if you don’t settle this war, I’m gonna charge you tariffs because I don’t want to see people getting killed.’ And they said, ‘no, what does this have to do with it?’ I said, ‘you’re gonna be charged.’”He then referenced the Pakistan-India conflict:
“Like India and Pakistan would’ve been a nuclear war in my opinion. They were really going at it. Ten planes were shot down. They were going at it.”Over the past ten months, Trump has repeatedly discussed the number of aircraft involved. Initially, he said five jets were shot down. He then updated the figure to seven in October 2025, eight in November 2025, and now ten planes.
Trump also cited praise from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who allegedly thanked him for “saving at least 10 million lives” by helping mediate the ceasefire. Trump reiterated:
“Without tariffs, that ceasefire wouldn’t have happened.”Background of the Pakistan-India Conflict
The conflict erupted in April 2025, following a deadly terror attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir. Pakistan denied any involvement, while India attributed blame to Islamabad, heightening tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations.
The four-day military conflict saw air and ground operations, with skirmishes along the border. Trump has claimed that his intervention via trade threats and diplomatic pressure helped prevent the escalation from becoming a full-scale nuclear confrontation.
During the ceasefire, Trump praised Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of the Army Staff of Pakistan, calling him a “highly respected general” and “my favourite.”
US-Pakistan and US-India Relations
Trump’s claims about his role in mediating the ceasefire have been disputed by Indian officials, who maintain that the agreement was reached independently of US intervention. Despite this, diplomatic contacts have continued:
- In September 2025, PM Shehbaz Sharif met Trump in the Oval Office and thanked him for the ceasefire.
- Following stalled trade talks with India, Trump announced a trade deal with New Delhi in early February 2026.
- Shortly afterward, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the US for talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The statements reflect Trump’s consistent narrative of combining trade leverage and diplomacy to influence international conflicts.
Reactions and Controversy
Trump’s comments have drawn both attention and skepticism:
- Supporters argue that his unconventional approach to diplomacy — using economic pressure — may have contributed to reducing hostilities.
- Critics question the accuracy of Trump’s claims, noting discrepancies in the reported number of aircraft and the extent of US influence in the conflict resolution.
- Indian officials have publicly disagreed with the assertion that the ceasefire resulted from Trump’s trade threats.
Implications for Global Diplomacy
The May 2025 Pakistan-India conflict and the subsequent US interventions highlight several ongoing themes in international relations:
- The risks of escalation between nuclear-armed neighbors.
- The role of economic tools such as tariffs as diplomatic leverage.
- The influence of high-profile leaders in shaping media narratives around international crises.
- Ongoing challenges in US-India-Pakistan relations amid geopolitical competition in South Asia.
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FAQs
How many aircraft were shot down during the May 2025 Pakistan-India conflict?
According to US President Donald Trump, ten aircraft were shot down. The number has been updated multiple times, previously reported as five, seven, and eight.
Did Trump directly mediate the ceasefire between Pakistan and India?
Trump claims that his diplomatic intervention and threats of trade tariffs helped prevent escalation, though Indian officials dispute the extent of his role.
When did the conflict between Pakistan and India occur?
The conflict occurred in April-May 2025, following a deadly terror attack in occupied Kashmir that escalated tensions between the two nations.
How did Pakistan and India respond to Trump’s statements?
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly thanked Trump for his role in mediating peace, while Indian officials have denied that US intervention was decisive.
What is the significance of this claim for US foreign policy?
Trump emphasizes using trade policies and tariffs as diplomatic tools to influence conflict resolution, reflecting a non-traditional approach to foreign policy.
Conclusion
US President Donald Trump’s latest remarks on the Pakistan-India conflict and the number of aircraft shot down have reignited debates about his role in international diplomacy. Whether viewed as a strategic mediator or as an exaggeration of influence, the statements underscore the intertwining of trade, military conflict, and diplomacy in modern geopolitics. The May 2025 conflict serves as a reminder of the fragile balance between nuclear-armed neighbors and the high stakes of escalation.
