WASHINGTON ( Khyber Point) Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again made waves with his latest remarks on South Asia, claiming that during a brief military clash between Pakistan and India earlier this year, seven “brand-new and beautiful” fighter jets were destroyed.
According to international media reports, Trump made the statement while addressing a dinner with business leaders during his visit to Japan. He credited his administration’s trade tariffs with preventing several potential wars, including between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India.
“If you look at India and Pakistan,” Trump said, “they were about to go at it. In their brief confrontation, seven new and beautiful jets were shot down.”
The former president went on to claim that he personally warned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir that the United States would not enter into any trade deals if the two countries went to war.
“We made it clear — if you fight, there will be no deals,” Trump stated, adding, “Within 24 hours, it was all over.”
In May, Pakistan’s military had announced that its air defense forces shot down six Indian warplanes, including the French-made Rafale, during a short but intense border confrontation. Pakistan also released purported evidence of the downing, while India denied the claims, calling them “propaganda.”
Trump’s remarks have reignited debate over the extent of U.S. influence in preventing escalation between the two rival nations. Analysts suggest that his comments reflect his signature style of blending diplomacy with bravado, though neither New Delhi nor Islamabad has yet issued an official response.
