Tensions escalate as 8 planes downed; Trump renews call for India-Pakistan ceasefire

WASHINGTON (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that the peace reached between India and Pakistan in May was the result of his stern warning. According to Trump, he had clearly warned both countries that if they continued to clash, the US would not enter into any trade agreements with them.

First five, then seven… now eight planes claimed to have been shot down; Trump again calls for a halt to the India-Pakistan conflict: Addressing the 'America Business Forum' held in Miami, Trump said, "I was working on a trade agreement with both the countries. Then I saw in the newspaper that war had started between India and Pakistan. Seven planes had been shot down, the eighth was also badly damaged. In total, eight planes were shot down. Then I said – if you guys are at war, I will not do business with you."

Trump continued, "I told them both that you're both nuclear powers, and if you continue the war, the United States will not compromise. The very next day, I got a call saying they had made peace. I said, 'Great—now we can talk about trade.'" He also added jokingly, "See, this all happened because of tariffs. If there weren't tariffs, none of this would have been possible."

It is noteworthy that on May 10, President Trump announced on social media that after lengthy negotiations, India and Pakistan had agreed to a complete and immediate ceasefire. However, India clearly stated that no third party played any role in this. According to India, all issues between the two countries are bilateral and require no outside mediation.

It was reported that India launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7th, targeting terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and PoK. This operation was carried out in response to the April 22nd terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians. After four days of cross-border drone and missile attacks, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10th.