Trump repeats claim that seven ‘brand-new, beautiful planes’ went down in India–Pak clash

Former US President Donald Trump has once again reiterated his claim that seven aircraft were shot down during the India–Pakistan military escalation, describing the episode as “essential for national security” while addressing a gathering of business leaders during his visit to Japan.

Speaking about global conflicts, Trump said that his trade policies and tariffs had helped prevent wars, citing the India–Pakistan standoff as an example. “If you look at India and Pakistan, they were going at it. Seven brand-new, beautiful planes were shot down,” he said.

He further claimed that he had personally intervened to de-escalate tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. “I said to [Indian] Prime Minister Modi and I said to the Prime Minister [Shehbaz Sharif], very nice man, a very good man, and the Field Marshal [Asim Munir] over in Pakistan, ‘Look, we’re not going to do any trade if you’re going to be fighting.’ Within 24 hours that was the end of that,” Trump added.

“I think trade is responsible for 70 per cent of the fact that we didn’t have wars.”

This is not the first time Trump has made such assertions. In July, he had claimed that five fighter jets were downed during the conflict, before later revising his statement to seven aircraft allegedly lost during the four-day military standoff in August under what he referred to as Operation Sindoor.

Indian officials, however, have consistently maintained that the cessation of hostilities was achieved through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries—without any external mediation.

Trump also linked his self-proclaimed role in defusing the India–Pakistan crisis to broader global peace efforts. “I was told that if I could stop the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, I should get the Nobel Prize. I said, ‘Well, what about the seven others? I should get a Nobel Prize for each one,’” he remarked.

Reacting to Trump’s comments, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X, noting that the former US President had made the same claim “54 times” across various countries. “He has said it in the US, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UK.

He has said it mid-flight and on land. Now President Trump has said it again, while addressing business leaders in Japan last evening. No wonder his good friend in New Delhi does not want to hug him any more,” Ramesh quipped.