U.S. President Donald Trump has again validated Pakistan’s narrative of the recent India-Pakistan conflict, claiming that five jets were shot down during the skirmishes. Speaking at a reception in Washington on Tuesday night, Trump said he helped prevent what could have turned into a nuclear war between the two rivals.
“They had already shot down five planes,” Trump said. “Things were going back and forth. I told both countries, ‘No more trade if this continues.’ They’re both nuclear powers. Anything could have happened. And I stopped it.”
This is the 25th time in 73 days that Trump has publicly repeated this claim, marking what opposition leaders in India have sarcastically called a “silver jubilee” of statements.
Congress Questions Modi’s Silence
In response, India’s Congress party criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not addressing Trump’s repeated assertions. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Modi had remained silent while Trump kept reiterating his claim of de-escalating a potential war.
Meanwhile, at the United Nations, India’s permanent representative Parvathaneni Harish said that military operations were halted after Pakistan formally requested it. “After achieving its primary objectives, India ceased operations upon Pakistan’s request,” Harish stated.
On the other hand, U.S. envoy Dorothy Shea told the UN Security Council that the United States had facilitated recent de-escalations between India and Pakistan, among other global conflicts. Her remarks echoed Trump’s consistent narrative of playing a mediatory role in South Asia.
Pakistan’s Position Gains Global Echo
Pakistan had earlier claimed that five Indian jets, including Rafale fighters, were shot down during Operation Sindoor. While India has not officially acknowledged this, international reporting and Trump’s repeated confirmations have added weight to Islamabad’s stance.
The conflict followed the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people. India launched retaliatory strikes on May 7, leading to four days of intense military activity that ended on May 10.
Trump’s statement, once again, brings global attention to the high-stakes conflict and Pakistan’s efforts to contain escalation.
As regional tensions continue to simmer, Trump’s words may influence international perceptions and policy. His affirmation of the five jets claim has now become a major talking point in both regional and global diplomatic discussions.
