United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for de-escalation between India and Pakistan, following a sharp spike in tensions after Indian forces launched coordinated missile, air, and drone strikes on Pakistani territory, and offered to mediate between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed concern over the situation. “My position is I get along with both. I know both very well, and I want to see them work it out. I want to see them stop, and hopefully they can stop now,” he said, describing the developments as “so terrible.”
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“They’ve gone tit-for-tat, so hopefully they can stop now. But I know both. We get along with both countries very well, good relationships with both, and I want to see it stop. And if I can do anything to help, I will. I will be there,” he added.
This marks Trump’s second statement in 24 hours on the escalating hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
On Tuesday, speaking during a swearing-in ceremony for Special Envoy Steve Witkoff at the White House, the US president described India’s missile attack on Pakistan as “a shame,” and expressed hope that the situation would de-escalate swiftly.
“It’s a shame. We just heard about it as we were walking into the Oval. Just heard about it,” Trump said, adding, “They’ve been fighting for many, many decades... I hope it ends very quickly.”
Members of the media film the inside of a building after it was hit by an Indian strike in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, May 7, 2025. Photo: Reuters
The statements come in the wake of Indian armed forces launching coordinated missile, air, and drone attacks during the night of May 6–7, targeting multiple locations in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad.
According to the Pakistani military, the attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 31 civilians, including women and children, and injured 71 others. Civilian infrastructure, including mosques and a hydropower facility, also sustained significant damage.
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In response, the Pakistan Army launched a retaliatory operation, downing five Indian fighter jets and one combat drone.
The military spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft included three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, one SU-series aircraft, and an Israeli-made Heron drone. These were shot down over Bhatinda, Jammu, Akhnoor, Srinagar, and Avantipur, he maintained.
In the aftermath of the attacks, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) authorised the country’s armed forces to undertake corresponding military actions in response to what officials called “unprovoked aggression” and deliberate targeting of civilians.
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