Tokyo (TDI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday stated that seven aircraft were shot down during the military escalation between Pakistan and India in May 2025.
Speaking at a dinner with business leaders during his visit to Japan, Trump recounted his role in preventing further conflict.
Trump said, “If you look at India and Pakistan, they were going at it. Seven brand-new, beautiful planes were shot down,” referring to the intensity of the four-day conflict that saw the use of fighter jets, missiles, artillery, and drones by both sides. The conflict, sparked by Pahalgam incident, marked the worst military escalation between the two nations in decades.
Trump continued, “I said to [Indian] Prime Minister Modi and I said to [Prime Minister] Shehbaz Sharif, very nice man, a very good man, and Field Marshal Asim Munir over in Pakistan … I said, ‘look we’re not going to do any trade if you’re going to be fighting.'” He claimed his intervention led to an immediate ceasefire within 24 hours. “It was amazing, actually,” Trump added, asserting that trade played a central role in averting a larger conflict.
Read More: Five Jets Shot Down in Pakistan-India Hostilities: Trump
The May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India was triggered by an attack on tourists in IIOJK, which India claimed was backed by Pakistan. Pakistan has consistently denied these allegations, with the foreign ministry questioning the credibility of India’s claims. The brief military escalation resulted in the use of fighter jets and missiles, with both sides suffering losses.
Read More: Trump Credits Field Marshal Asim Munir for Stopping India-Pakistan War
Pakistan claimed responsibility for shooting down six Indian fighter jets, including the French-made Rafale, while India acknowledged suffering “some losses” but denied the reported number of downed aircraft. The conflict ended with a ceasefire agreement, following international pressure and behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
