US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that he personally brokered peace between India and Pakistan, this time revising the number of fighter jets downed during the hostilities from seven to eight.
Speaking at the America Business Forum in Miami, Trump recounted that the two nuclear-armed neighbours “made peace” in May only after he threatened to cancel their trade deals.
“I was in the midst of a trade deal with India and Pakistan, and then I read they were going to war. Eight planes were shot down — essentially. I said, this is war. I told them, ‘I’m not making any trade deals with you unless you agree to peace,’” Trump said.
According to the President, Delhi and Islamabad initially objected, saying trade had nothing to do with their conflict. Trump, however, insisted that his intervention forced them to agree to a ceasefire.
“The next day, I got a call — they had made peace. I said, ‘Thank you. Let’s do trade.’ Isn’t that great? Without tariffs, that would have never happened,” he told the cheering audience.
Trump’s Peacemaker Pitch
The India-Pakistan episode was among eight conflicts Trump claimed to have stopped since taking office, alongside Kosovo-Serbia and Congo-Rwanda.
He framed his account as proof of his foreign policy success, attempting once again to position himself as a global dealmaker and peacemaker ahead of the U.S. elections.
However, this is not the first time Trump has repeated this assertion. Reports suggest he has mentioned the claim over 60 times since May.
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New Delhi has categorically denied Trump’s statement, asserting that no third-party mediation occurred between India and Pakistan.
According to official sources, the ceasefire on May 10 followed Pakistan’s request after suffering heavy losses during Operation Sindoor, India’s counter-offensive launched to avenge the killing of 26 civilians by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
India had carried out deep strikes on terror camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, leading to four days of cross-border firing and missile exchanges.
“The ceasefire was achieved after Pakistani commanders pleaded for an end to the offensive,” a senior Indian defence source said, dismissing any claims of U.S. involvement.
Trump’s Claim Persists Despite Repeated Denials
Despite India’s firm rejection, Trump continues to repeat his “peace broker” narrative at rallies and public events.
His repeated references to the India-Pakistan conflict are seen by analysts as part of his broader campaign message, portraying himself as a leader capable of ending wars through strong diplomacy and trade leverage.
“He’s telling this story to reinforce his image as a dealmaker — even when the facts are disputed,” a former U.S. State Department official told reporters.
