US President Donald Trump has reignited discussion over the brief military conflict between Pakistan and India, asserting that seven “brand-new, beautiful planes” were destroyed during the escalation in May.
Trump Reflects on Trade and Peace Efforts
Speaking at an event in Tokyo, Trump stated that his administration’s global trade policies played a major role in preventing wars. He credited economic measures such as tariffs for maintaining peace between nations that were on the brink of conflict.
He recalled conversations with both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. According to Trump, he urged both leaders to halt hostilities, warning that trade deals would be suspended if fighting continued.
“I told both leaders that the United States would not engage in trade if they chose to fight,” he said. “Within 24 hours, the conflict came to an end. It was amazing.”
Recalling the May Escalation
The brief but intense confrontation in May was one of the most serious between the two neighboring countries in decades. The clash reportedly began after an attack on Hindu tourists in occupied Kashmir, which India alleged had links to Pakistan — a claim Islamabad strongly denied.
During the four-day conflict, both sides deployed fighter jets, artillery, missiles, and drones. The fighting resulted in dozens of casualties before a ceasefire was reached.
Conflicting Claims Over Aircraft Losses
In the aftermath, Pakistan stated it had downed six Indian aircraft, including a Rafale jet. However, India denied losing that number of planes, acknowledging only “some losses” during the engagement.
Trump’s latest remarks, in which he mentioned seven planes being shot down, add a new twist to the differing narratives. His comments suggest that the United States may have been more closely monitoring the situation than previously understood.
Trade as a Tool for Global Stability
Trump emphasized that global trade relationships can serve as leverage to prevent conflicts. He claimed that about 70 percent of wars were averted due to trade-related interventions during his tenure.
His statement underscores his belief that economic diplomacy and strategic trade measures are key tools in global conflict prevention.
Trump’s comments have once again drawn attention to the fragile peace between Pakistan and India. While both countries have sought to maintain calm since the incident, his remarks highlight how swiftly regional tensions can attract international scrutiny.
