Trump Claims Personal Role in India-Pakistan Ceasefire, Revises Downed Aircraft Count
US President Donald Trump now claims eight planes were shot down during the India-Pakistan skirmish in May, adding to previous claims that started at three and increased to seven. He asserts he personally intervened by threatening to halt trade talks, leading to a ceasefire. India denies any foreign mediation, stating the truce resulted from bilateral talks after a formal request from Pakistan.
Speaking at a business event in Miami, President Trump revised his narrative about the India-Pakistan conflict, now claiming that eight planes—after previous assertions of three, five, and seven—were shot down. He recounted how he was negotiating trade deals with both nations when he learned of the impending war threat and demanded peace as a condition for continued trade, claiming credit for brokering the ceasefire that followed. Trump’s account is unsupported by evidence and has drawn repeated skepticism, especially from India, which insists its decision to halt fighting was entirely sovereign and direct with Pakistan. Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar dismissed Trump’s assertions as baseless, emphasizing that India’s actions are independently determined. Meanwhile, opposition parties have mocked the frequency and inconsistency of Trump’s claims. The article provides context on the Tribune’s history and editorial values, underscoring its reputation for independent reporting. The focus remains on Trump’s evolving narrative, India’s steadfast denial of external mediation, and the broader diplomatic implications of such claims involving nuclear-armed neighbors.
