US President Donald Trump has once again reiterated his controversial claim that his intervention prevented a full-scale war between India and Pakistan. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had used the threat of tariffs as a diplomatic tool to de-escalate tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
‘Eight planes were shot down,’ says Trump
Trump, who is known for making bold statements about his foreign policy achievements, added a new detail to his earlier claims. “India and Pakistan, eight planes were shot down. It was seven but now it is eight because the one that was sort of shot down is now abandoned,” he said.
According to Trump, his quick action and the use of tariffs as leverage helped defuse a potential war. “If you look at India and Pakistan, they were about to fight, two nuclear nations. Eight planes were shot down. And I said, ‘If you guys are going to fight, I am going to put tariffs on you.’ They were not happy, and within 24 hours, I settled the war. Without tariffs, I wouldn’t have been able to do that,” he claimed.
Background of Trump’s repeated claims
This is not the first time Trump has credited himself with mediating peace between India and Pakistan. Earlier this year, he claimed that he personally intervened to prevent military escalation between the two countries in May. His remarks, however, have not been corroborated by either New Delhi or Islamabad.
The claims have raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles, as no such conflict involving the downing of eight aircraft has been reported in recent times. India has also maintained that its foreign policy decisions are independent and not influenced by external pressure or threats.
Past assertions and diplomatic reactions
During his presidency, Trump had previously offered to “mediate” between India and Pakistan on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir—an offer that was firmly rejected by India, which has consistently maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral matter.
While Trump’s statements have often been met with scepticism, they continue to generate attention, particularly because of his tendency to frame global diplomacy in transactional terms—using trade and tariffs as instruments of foreign policy.
India and Pakistan’s stance
Neither government has officially commented on Trump’s latest claim. Both nations have, in the past, engaged in limited cross-border tensions but have generally avoided escalation into full-scale conflict. Analysts believe Trump’s remarks are likely aimed at reinforcing his narrative of being a dealmaker who “ends wars,” a recurring theme in his political messaging.
Conclusion
Trump’s latest remarks once again blur the line between political storytelling and historical fact. While his claims about stopping wars through tariffs may bolster his image among supporters, they have yet to find any factual basis or acknowledgment from the countries involved.