Washington — US President Donald Trump has revised his earlier statements, now claiming that 10 aircraft were shot down during the four-day military conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025, describing the escalation as one that “would’ve been a nuclear war” in his opinion without his intervention.
Speaking in an interview aired on Fox Business on February 11, 2026, Trump linked his “reciprocity policy” and tariff threats to settling multiple global disputes, including the Pakistan-India standoff. He recounted telling both sides that failure to cease hostilities would invite tariffs, adding, “Like India and Pakistan would’ve been a nuclear war in my opinion. They were really going at it. Ten planes were shot down. They were going at it.”
⚔️TRUMP HUMILIATED INDIA⚔️
US President @realDonaldTrump says he ended the #Pakistan–#India war and by that time, 10 Indian aircraft had been shot down.
🗣️He recalled PM Shehbaz Sharif telling him:
“Mr President, you saved more than ten million lives.”
On the battlefield, the… pic.twitter.com/e9cJPfYjOp
— Taymur Malik (@BlueMist911) February 11, 2026
Key Highlights
- Trump raises aircraft downed tally to 10 in May 2025 conflict.
- Claims ceasefire saved “at least 10 million lives”.
- Quotes PM Shehbaz Sharif praising his role in de-escalation.
- Earlier claims: 5 jets in initial statements, later 7 then 8.
- Praises Field Marshal Asim Munir as “highly respected general”.
- India has rejected Trump’s mediation claims.
- Recent US-India trade deal announced after strained ties.
Trump asserted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had thanked him for “saving at least 10 million lives” by securing the ceasefire. He reiterated that without tariff pressure, the conflict would have escalated further. The US president has previously praised Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir as a “great fighter” and “my favourite” on multiple occasions.
The May 2025 tensions began with a deadly terror attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which India blamed on Pakistan without evidence — a charge Islamabad strongly refuted. The two sides exchanged tit-for-tat strikes before a ceasefire was declared in May, with Trump repeatedly claiming credit for brokering the truce.
India has consistently rejected Trump’s narrative of direct US mediation or tariff threats influencing the outcome, maintaining that the ceasefire resulted from bilateral channels and restraint. Relations between Washington and New Delhi saw strain after failed trade talks, but Trump announced a “trade deal” with India earlier this month, followed by a three-day visit by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump’s latest remarks, increasing the aircraft downed figure from his previous counts of five, seven, and eight, have renewed debate on the 2025 conflict. No independent verification of the exact number of aircraft losses has been publicly confirmed by either Pakistan or India.
The comments reflect ongoing US interest in South Asian stability while highlighting the former president’s narrative of using economic leverage to prevent wider wars — a claim that continues to draw mixed reactions in the region.
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