Trump’s Bold Ceasefire Claim: ‘I Stopped India-Pakistan From Going Nuclear’
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy with his recent comments regarding the 2019 India-Pakistan military escalation, claiming credit for helping broker a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. During a campaign speech in Iowa, Trump reiterated that it was his intervention that prevented a potential war following the Balakot airstrikes and subsequent aerial dogfight.
Trump’s Claims: “Five Jets Were Shot Down”
Trump, known for his unconventional diplomatic style, recounted an incident where he claimed that India and Pakistan were on the brink of war, stating, “They were going at it, and it was going to be nuclear. You know, serious countries—very serious. And I said, ‘You have to stop.’ Five jets were shot down. Five!”
His remarks appear to reference the 2019 post-Pulwama attack conflict, when India conducted airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot, Pakistan, in response to a deadly terror attack in Pulwama that killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel. The situation escalated when both sides engaged in air combat, resulting in the capture of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan, who was later released as a “peace gesture.”
However, Trump’s claim of “five jets” being downed exceeds the publicly confirmed numbers. India confirmed losing one MiG-21 Bison while claiming to have shot down a Pakistani F-16. Pakistan denied the F-16 loss but admitted to downing one Indian jet.
Reactions in India and Pakistan
Trump’s statements have sparked renewed interest in the diplomatic backchannel efforts that may have taken place at the time. Indian officials have previously acknowledged that multiple countries, including the U.S., were in touch during the escalation, but India has not officially credited Trump with mediating a ceasefire.
In Pakistan, Trump’s latest comments may be seen as a vindication of Islamabad’s long-standing claim that the situation in 2019 nearly escalated into full-blown war, and that global intervention, particularly by Washington, played a role in de-escalation.
Fact-Check: What Really Happened?
The February 2019 incident marked one of the tensest moments in recent India-Pakistan history. While tensions did de-escalate within days, the claims of five jets being shot down do not align with verified reports. Trump had made similar statements during his presidency, often exaggerating the extent of U.S. involvement and the scale of the conflict.
Diplomatic sources from both countries have since acknowledged that the situation was delicate, with global powers including the U.S., China, and Saudi Arabia encouraging restraint behind the scenes. However, Trump’s narrative of personally halting a nuclear war has been viewed by critics as self-aggrandizing.
Conclusion: A Campaign Rhetoric or Reality?
As Trump campaigns for another term in the White House, such bold claims about foreign policy wins serve to bolster his image as a strong global negotiator. Whether the former president truly played a decisive role in preventing a war between India and Pakistan remains contested. What’s clear, however, is that his comments continue to spark debate, reminding the world of how precariously close two nuclear nations came to conflict in 2019.
