President Donald Trump is once again raising his hands in international diplomacy with a new challenge to international diplomacy – making his threats about the aerial skirmish between India and Pakistan in 2025. In that same day of the conflict, "10 planes were shot down," he reportedly stated, during the heat of the crisis, and this number has been growing in his revision-worthy reporting of what happened through the last 10 months.
The “Tariff Diplomacy” Case
When he asked Fox Business about the effectiveness of his trade policies, Trump stated his administration resolved multiple international disputes with the aid of US trade. “I said to them, ‘If you don't settle this war, I’m going to charge you tariffs,’” Trump said.
He even highlighted the South Asian standoff as a prime example, saying that without his involvement the two nuclear-armed neighbors stood on the verge of a disastrous exchange. The president said his “tough talk” on trade concluded the fighting within 24 hours.
The evolution of the “10 Planes” claim
The President’s war data has been revised multiple times. Just months into the May 2025 ceasefire Trump had stated that five planes had been downed. That number rose to seven “beautiful planes” by October 2025 then to eight in November. The leap to 10 aircraft is his largest estimate as of now. Trump also said the Prime Minister of Pakistan personally thanked him, claiming he “saved at least 10 million lives.”
Disparity When Compared to Military Records
While the President has made big claims, government military accounts from India and Pakistan are much more conservative. Though the 2025 episode, codenamed Operation Sindoor by India, saw a massive flight of over 114 planes flying into it, the war involved a massive air strike; neither side has logged any losses near the double-digit figure.
India has adhered to long-term bilateralism in the conflict and denies third-party mediation. New Delhi insists that the ceasefire happened on their own accord, but under DGMOs and not from outside pressure or US-led negotiation.
