Washington, D.C. | Date: July 19, 2025— In a surprising revelation, U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that the United States actively prevented a full-scale war between India and Pakistan during his presidency. He disclosed that the situation had become so tense that five fighter jets were destroyed during a fierce exchange between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. According to Trump, the U.S. used trade pressure as a strategic tool to de-escalate the rapidly intensifying conflict.
Trump stated during a recent interview, “We stopped a lot of wars, and they were serious wars. There was fighting between India and Pakistan. Planes were being shot down I think five fighter jets were shot down.” He emphasized that both countries, equipped with nuclear weapons, were dangerously close to launching a full-scale war, but the United States took swift and effective action.
“These two nuclear powers were targeting each other, and the situation was rapidly deteriorating. But we solved it through trade. We said, ‘If you want war, forget about trade,’” Trump said.
U.S. Used Economic Leverage to Diffuse Tensions
During the crisis, the U.S. administration reportedly imposed significant trade pressure on both countries to deter further escalation. Trump highlighted that Washington leveraged economic ties to halt the conflict, using diplomacy and backdoor negotiations. The Trump administration made it clear that any aggression between India and Pakistan would come at the cost of losing favorable trade relations with the United States.
This behind-the-scenes intervention apparently helped cool down the situation, which, according to Trump, could have otherwise spiraled into a catastrophic nuclear exchange. Notably, during the tense standoff, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft, including a Rafale fighter jet. Although India initially denied these claims, several Indian military officials later confirmed some of them unofficially.
Consequently, Trump’s recent remarks lend significant credibility to Pakistan’s version of the incident. By publicly acknowledging the destruction of five Indian jets, Trump has seemingly validated a claim that had long remained disputed on the international stage.
Trump’s Role in Regional Peace Gains Renewed Attention
Trump’s comments also revived interest in his earlier offers to mediate the Kashmir dispute. In the past, he had repeatedly expressed willingness to mediate between India and Pakistan, especially after tensions flared over the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. While Pakistan welcomed Trump’s offer at the time, India rejected it, asserting that Kashmir remained a bilateral issue.
Nevertheless, Trump continued to pursue peace efforts behind closed doors. He reiterated in the interview that his administration worked tirelessly to prevent wars, including by diffusing the India-Pakistan conflict. He claimed that his leadership managed to stabilize volatile regions through trade pressure and tactical diplomacy, even though such moves were not always publicized.
Moreover, Trump referenced other global efforts, including actions taken against Iran. “You saw recently when we completely disabled Iran’s nuclear capability,” he added. However, international analysts have questioned the accuracy of some of these claims, especially regarding Iran.
Despite this, Trump’s statement about India and Pakistan has reignited debates about Washington’s influence in South Asia and its ability to act as a stabilizing force.
Implications of Trade Pressure on South Asian Geopolitics
The use of trade pressure by the U.S. government during the crisis between India and Pakistan has broader implications for the region. It demonstrates how economic tools, when strategically applied, can act as effective deterrents to military conflict. This approach also reaffirms the U.S. role as a powerful actor capable of intervening in sensitive geopolitical affairs.
Trump’s disclosure may also impact future Indo-U.S. and Pak-U.S. relations, particularly if both countries reassess the role that trade pressure played in past conflicts. For Pakistan, the former U.S. President’s recognition of their military success and the acknowledgment of American involvement might be seen as diplomatic support. For India, however, the statement could raise questions about transparency and strategic autonomy.
In conclusion, Trump’s comments have sparked fresh discussions across the diplomatic community and may shift perceptions regarding past Indo-Pak hostilities. By placing trade pressure at the center of conflict resolution, the United States under Trump demonstrated a powerful, albeit controversial, form of global influence.
