US President Donald Trump has once again made big claims about his role in stopping last year’s short but tense fight between India and Pakistan. At the launch of his new group called the Board of Peace in Washington, Trump said he stepped in during the four-day clash in May 2025. He claimed that 11 fighter jets were shot down and that his phone calls to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s leaders ended the fighting. Trump added that he saved the lives of 25 million people by stopping what could have turned into a nuclear war. But India has always said no outside help was needed, and the ceasefire came from talks between the two countries directly. Pakistan has thanked the US for some help, but the numbers Trump mentions about jets and lives saved have grown over time, raising questions from experts.
The clash started after a deadly attack by militants in Kashmir, which killed more than two dozen people. Both sides fired missiles, used drones, and even had dogfights in the air. Over 100 people died, and the world worried about the two nuclear-armed neighbors going to full war. Trump has talked about this event many times since it happened, each time making his role sound bigger. He started by saying five jets were lost, then seven, eight, ten, and now eleven. Independent reports say only three to five jets were actually shot down, mostly Indian ones. Trump’s latest speech has brought fresh attention to the old tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.
What Sparked the 2025 India-Pakistan Clash?
The trouble began on April 22, 2025, when gunmen attacked tourists in Pahalgam, a beautiful spot in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The attack killed 26 people, mostly Indians, and one from Nepal. India blamed groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which it says are based in Pakistan. Pakistan denied any link and called for a fair probe. Tensions rose fast. India stopped some water sharing under an old treaty, closed borders, and banned flights. Pakistan did the same, shutting airspace and trade.
By early May, things got worse. On May 6-7, India started Operation Sindoor. Indian forces used Rafale jets, drones, and missiles like BrahMos and SCALP to hit nine places in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. India said these were terrorist camps, including headquarters of militant groups in Punjab and Azad Kashmir. Pakistan said the strikes killed 31 civilians, including women and kids, and hit a health center. India claimed it killed over 100 militants and no civilians.
Pakistan hit back hard. On May 7, there was a big air battle with over 40 Pakistani jets like JF-17 and F-16 facing more than 80 Indian planes like Su-30 and MiG-29. Pakistan claimed it shot down five to six Indian jets. India said it downed some Pakistani ones but lost only one or two. Reports from outside, like from the US and experts, say India lost three to four jets, and Pakistan maybe one. The fight also had cyber attacks, with both sides trying to hack each other’s systems.
Over the next days, there were more strikes. India hit air bases in Pakistan, like Nur Khan near Rawalpindi. Pakistan attacked Indian posts along the Line of Control, the border in Kashmir. Shelling killed soldiers and civilians on both sides. By May 10, over 100 people had died, and the world was scared of nuclear war since both have atomic bombs.
How the Ceasefire Happened
On May 10, 2025, a ceasefire was announced. US President Trump posted on his social media that after talks led by the US, India and Pakistan agreed to stop fighting right away. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the US for helping. But India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said it was worked out directly between the two armies’ top officers, with no outside role. Indian leaders said the US might have talked to Pakistan, but India handled it on its own.
Experts say the US did play a part behind the scenes. US Secretary Marco Rubio called Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, which might have helped. China also asked both to calm down. But India has always said Kashmir is a matter between India and Pakistan only, no third party needed. This has been India’s stand since 1947, when Kashmir became a big issue after independence.
Trump’s claims started right after. He said he called Modi and Pakistan’s leaders, telling them to focus on trade instead of war. He offered to help solve Kashmir too. India quickly said no to that. Over the months, Trump kept repeating the story, saying he saved millions of lives.
Trump’s Growing Claims Over Time
Trump first mentioned the clash in May 2025, saying five planes were shot down. By June, it was seven. In January 2026, he said eight. Then in February, during a TV interview, he raised it to ten. Now, at the Board of Peace launch, it’s eleven. He said, “11 jets were shot down. Very expensive jets.” He also claimed Pakistan’s PM said he saved 25 million lives.
In his speech, Trump said, “I got on the phone with both of them… I said, if you fight, I’m going to put 200 per cent tariffs on each of your countries. They both wanted to fight. But when it came to money, it’s nothing like money.” He added that the war was raging and could have gone nuclear.
But facts don’t match. Reports from Stimson Center, Brookings, and others say only three to five jets were lost, not eleven. Casualties were around 100, not millions at risk right away. Though yes, a full war could kill many.
Pakistan’s side: PM Sharif has praised Trump, saying he saved at least 10 million lives. But India calls it wrong. A senior Indian official said, “Our position is clear: bilateral talks only.”
India’s Firm Stand Against Mediation
India has never liked outsiders in its talks with Pakistan. PM Modi told Trump in a call last year that India won’t accept third-party help. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “PM Modi told President Trump clearly that there was no talk on US mediation.” India sees Kashmir as its internal matter since it changed its status in 2019.
Experts like Michael Kugelman from a US think tank say Trump’s words could hurt US-India ties. “India-US relations are good, but claims like this make India angry,” he said.
In Pakistan, some see Trump’s help as good. But many there also want direct talks.
What is the Board of Peace?
Trump launched the Board of Peace as a new group like the UN, but run by him. He says it’s to stop wars around the world. At the event, he used the India-Pakistan story as an example of his success. But critics say it’s just for show, and his numbers don’t add up.
Trump has wanted a Nobel Peace Prize for years. He once said Obama got it for nothing. Now, he links his “deals” to peace.
Impact on India-Pakistan Relations
The 2025 clash changed things. India made a new military plan to hit terrorists faster. Both sides stopped some old agreements like water sharing. But since the ceasefire, talks have started on small things like trade.
Kashmir is still hot. People there face tough rules, and rights groups say many are arrested. Both countries claim the whole area, but control parts.
The world watches closely. US, China, and others want no more fights.
Statements from Key People
US President Donald Trump: “Like India and Pakistan would’ve been a nuclear war… 11 planes were shot down… President Trump saved at least 25 million lives.”
Indian PM Narendra Modi (via officials): “India has not accepted mediation in the past and will never do.”
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif: “President Trump saved at least 10 million lives when he got us to stop fighting.”
US Expert Joshua T. White: “India and Pakistan will learn lessons from this for future fights.”
Indian Diplomat Vikram Misri: “No US role in the ceasefire; it was bilateral.”
Why Trump’s Claims Matter
Trump’s words show how leaders can twist stories for credit. In India, many see it as US trying to meddle. In Pakistan, some like it. But facts matter. Reports from reliable places like Reuters, BBC, and think tanks show the clash was short, losses small, and ceasefire mostly direct.
This also reminds of past clashes, like 2019 after Pulwama, where one jet was lost. Trump’s style is to make things bigger.
FAQs on Trump’s Claims and the 2025 Clash
Q1: What was the India-Pakistan clash in May 2025?
It was a four-day fight from May 7-10, 2025. Started after militants killed 26 in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. India hit Pakistan with missiles and drones in Operation Sindoor. Pakistan fought back with air strikes and dogfights. Over 100 died. Ceasefire on May 10.
Q2: How many jets were really shot down?
Pakistan claimed 5-6 Indian jets. India said it downed Pakistani ones. Independent reports say 3-5 Indian jets lost, maybe 1 Pakistani. Not 11 as Trump says.
Q3: Did Trump mediate the ceasefire?
Trump says yes, by phone calls and tariff threats. Pakistan thanks US. But India says no, it was direct talks between armies. US might have talked to Pakistan only.
Q4: Why does Trump keep changing the numbers?
He started with 5 jets in May 2025, then 7, 8, 10, now 11. Lives saved: 10 million to 25 million. Experts say he exaggerates for credit.
Q5: What is India’s stand on Kashmir mediation?
India says it’s between India and Pakistan only. No US or others. This is from Simla Agreement in 1972.
Q6: Could it have been a nuclear war?
Both have nukes, so yes, risk was there. But the fight was limited. Millions could die in full war, but not right then.
Q7: What next for India-Pakistan?
Small talks on trade and borders. But Kashmir issue remains. World pushes for peace.