Trump Sparks Controversy with Claim of Fighter Jet Losses in India-Pakistan Conflict
Former US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by claiming that five fighter jets were downed during the military engagements between India and Pakistan in May 2025. Addressing a Republican event, Trump remarked, “Planes were being shot out of there. I think five jets were shot down, actually. These are two serious nuclear countries, and they were hitting each other.”
Trump further stated that the United States played a crucial role in reducing tensions, suggesting that trade incentives were used to persuade both nations to consent to a ceasefire. He commented, “We got it solved through trade. We said, you guys want to make a trade deal. We’re not making a trade deal if you’re going to be throwing around weapons.”
The Indian government has not officially disclosed the number of jets lost during Operation Sindoor, the limited skirmish that followed a cross-border terror attack. However, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan had previously acknowledged operational setbacks, noting, “What is important is not the jet being down, but why they were being downed.”
Additional indirect confirmation surfaced in June when India’s defence attaché to Indonesia indicated that aircraft losses occurred during the early stages of Operation Sindoor, attributing this to political directives to target only terrorist infrastructure.
Trump’s comments have ignited political criticism in India. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi shared a video of Trump’s speech on X, challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He questioned, “Mr. Modi, what is the truth about the 5 fighter jets? The nation has the right to know.”
The Congress party has called for a special parliamentary session to conduct a “comprehensive strategic review,” accusing the government of maintaining secrecy about military losses.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed Trump’s claims, clarifying that Prime Minister Modi had clearly communicated to the former US President in June that no trade deal discussions or proposals for US mediation were entertained during or following the conflict.
This controversy arises on the eve of the Monsoon Session of Parliament scheduled to begin on July 21, where opposition parties plan to demand transparency from the government regarding Operation Sindoor and India’s military readiness.
