Donald Trump once again asserts he ended war between India and Pakistan — this time claiming eight aircraft were downed during hostilities, up from his previous figure of seven.
What Trump Claimed
At a recent business forum in Miami, Trump said he intervened when India and Pakistan were “going at it”, warning them he would halt trade unless they agreed to peace. He asserted:
“Eight planes were shot down essentially… I said ‘no trade unless you agree to peace’. The next day I got a call they’d made peace.”
Previously, in earlier remarks, he had claimed the number was seven.
India & Pakistan’s Response
- India has consistently denied involvement of any third-party mediation, including US mediation, saying the ceasefire was achieved bilaterally.
- Pakistan has not verified the specific numbers of aircraft losses mentioned by Trump, and the exact figure remains disputed.
- Analysts say the claim of eight downed aircraft lacks publicly verified evidence and appears to be part of Trump’s rhetoric.
Why It Matters
- The statement draws attention to the tensions between India and Pakistan and highlights how global figures may frame conflicts in self-aggrandising ways.
- Trump’s repeated claims serve his narrative of being a global peacemaker, but they also risk diplomatic friction with two nuclear-armed neighbours.
- While the figures remain unverified, the story emphasises the use of trade threats as geopolitical tools in modern diplomacy
