Trump says 200% tariff warning stopped India-Pakistan tensions, alleges 11 jets downed
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump claimed on Thursday at the "Board of Peace" event in Washington that he played a key role in stopping the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan. Trump said he threatened both countries with 200% tariffs, which led to a ceasefire.
According to Trump, the situation was extremely tense at the time. Fighting had intensified between the two countries, and planes were being shot down. He said he spoke directly to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the phone. Trump said, "I know PM Modi very well. I clearly told both leaders that if they didn't end the conflict, the US wouldn't enter into a trade agreement with them."
Trump claimed that 11 expensive fighter jets were shot down during the conflict, though he did not specify which country these jets belonged to. He said that both countries agreed to withdraw when the economic losses were realized.
During the event, Trump also said that Pakistan's Prime Minister admitted to his Chief of Staff that Trump saved the lives of approximately 25 million people by preventing a potential war between India and Pakistan. At this point, Trump asked Shahbaz Sharif to stand, a video of which is going viral on social media. Sharif also called Trump "the savior of South Asia."
It is worth noting that on April 22 last year, Pakistani terrorists killed 26 Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Following this, India launched military operations on the night of May 6th and 7th against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These hideouts included areas like Bahawalpur and Muridke in Pakistan's Punjab province.
In response, on the evening of May 8th, Pakistan attempted to target India's air defense systems. Turkish and Chinese-made drones were used, but the Indian Air Force was fully operational, deploying all air defense systems, both large and small. Indian security forces shot down several Pakistani drones and, in retaliation, launched a cross-border attack with heavy artillery and rocket launchers, thwarting Pakistan's military strategy.