US President Donald Trump once again claimed he mediated between India and Pakistan during the May 2025 military standoff, asserting he threatened both nations with 200 per cent tariffs to force a halt in hostilities. Speaking at the Board of Peace event, Trump also raised his estimate of aircraft losses, now claiming that 11 jets were shot down.
New Delhi has consistently rejected any suggestion of third-party involvement. India maintains that the cessation of hostilities was achieved through direct DGMO-level talks between the two militaries. While the Indian Air Force has not specified the number of aircraft lost, it has repeatedly said no pilot involved in the operation was killed in action.
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During the event, Trump asked Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to stand while recounting what he described as successful mediation. He also repeated his claim that Sharif credited him with saving “25 million lives”.
Trump further said he leveraged trade pressure, warning both sides he would impose steep tariffs if fighting continued. His latest remarks mark another shift in figures he has cited over recent months regarding aircraft losses.
India has maintained that Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack, was a targeted counter-terror response and that the subsequent de-escalation was handled bilaterally.
