In another dramatic retelling of his role in global peace efforts, former U.S. President Donald Trump has increased his claimed number of downed aircraft during the India-Pakistan conflict — now asserting that “eight planes were shot down” amid the military standoff between the two nuclear nations.
Speaking at the America Business Forum in Miami, Florida, on November 5, Trump told reporters:
“India and Pakistan… eight planes were shot down, essentially. It was seven, but the eighth one was really badly wounded.”
The statement marks yet another revision of the former president’s earlier claims. Trump had initially told audiences that five military jets were shot down during the confrontation, later raising the number to seven in separate speeches. The latest version — eight aircraft — continues his pattern of embellishing his self-described diplomatic triumphs.
Trump’s Claim of ‘Tariff Diplomacy’
During the Miami event, Trump also reiterated that his threats to impose steep trade tariffs were instrumental in brokering peace between India and Pakistan.
“This is war. And they’re two nuclear nations,” Trump said. “I told both leaders — no trade deals unless you agree to peace. The next day, we get a call: ‘We made peace.’ I said, ‘Thank you. Let’s trade.’”
The Republican leader claimed that the prospect of a 250% tariff on trade with both countries compelled them to agree to a ceasefire. He went on to add that “tariffs did that”, suggesting his economic pressure ended hostilities that had risked spiraling into a wider regional conflict.
Trump also boasted that he “ended eight wars in eight months” during his presidency — another claim that lacks independent verification.
India’s Firm Denial
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly dismissed Trump’s assertions, calling them inaccurate and misleading. India maintains that there was no third-party mediation in its decisions related to Operation Sindoor, a counterterror operation launched after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized that “no foreign leader” played any role in India’s peace or military decisions, underscoring New Delhi’s long-standing position that India-Pakistan issues are bilateral and not subject to external arbitration.
A Pattern of Inflated Claims
Trump’s comments continue his habit of revising past events to amplify his diplomatic record. His shifting narrative — from five to seven, and now eight downed planes — has drawn both skepticism and ridicule from international observers, particularly given the absence of any corroborating evidence from official or independent sources.
While Trump has framed himself as the architect of an unlikely peace, both India and Pakistan have never acknowledged any direct U.S. intervention in de-escalating their 2023 confrontation.
His remarks have since sparked renewed debate on social media, with critics accusing him of “rewriting history” for political theatre as the 2026 U.S. election campaign gains momentum.