Modi, on his part, neither acknowledged the bit about trade, nor the mention of wars and instead thanked Trump for his Diwali wishes and said the two countries were united in fighting terrorism in all forms. 

New Delhi: In the last 24 hours, US president Donald Trump has repeated his claim of de-escalating India-Pakistan tensions in May and said that he had a conversation on trade and “no wars with Pakistan” with prime minister Narendra Modi. Trump also repeated the claim that India was not going to be buying “much Russian oil” now – a line that India has been careful around.

Modi, on his part, neither acknowledged the bit about trade, nor the mention of wars. He instead thanked Trump for his Diwali wishes and said the two countries were united in fighting terrorism in all forms.

‘Let’s have no wars with Pakistan’

Late on October 21 (as per IST) Trump said once again at the White House that he has stopped wars, one of which was the India-Pakistan skirmish after the terrorist attack at Kashmir’s Pahalgam which killed 26 civilians and led India to launch Operation Sindoor at Pakistani terror bases.

“…I mentioned eight wars. Of the eight, five were based solely on trade and tariffs. India-Pakistan were going at it. Two nuclear powers and serious nuclear,” Trump said.

Trump claimed that “seven” planes were shot down. Pakistan’s claim is that five Indian jets were downed.

In late May, General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff has said in an interview that the Indian Air Force lost some fighter jets in clashes with Pakistan on May 7 but did not specify the exact number of fighter jets India lost that night. Days later, during a seminar on the India-Pak air battle, Indian Navy Captain Shiv Kumar said, “I do agree we did lose some aircraft.”

There has been no official release on the number of Indian jets lost beyond this.

“Seven planes shot down. They were ready to go and I called them up, I said, you go to war and we’re not doing a trade deal and they said, well, what does one thing have to do with the other? I said, it has a lot, you are nuclear powers, and if you do it, we’re not doing a trade deal. 24 hours later, they called me. We have decided not to do it. We stopped the war. We stopped a potential disaster, a nuclear disaster, because of trade,” Trump said.

Early on October 22 (as per IST), Trump offered Diwali wishes to India and noted that he spoke to Modi about trade. Trump reportedly told Modi, “Let’s have no wars with Pakistan” and said that he has become a great friend of his over the years:

“Let me extend our warmest wishes to the people of India. I just spoke to your Prime Minister today. Had a great conversation. We talked about trade… He’s very interested in that. Although we did talk a little while ago about let’s have no wars with Pakistan. The fact that trade was involved, I was able to talk about that. And we have no war with Pakistan and India. That was a very, very good thing. He’s a great person, and he’s become a great friend of mine over the years. In a few moments, we’ll light the Diya as a symbol of faith in the victory of light over darkness… It’s knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. During Diwali, the revellers recall ancient stories of enemies defeated, obstacles removed, and captives free. The glow of the Diya flame reminds us to seek the path of wisdom and to work with diligence and to always give thanks for our many blessings…”

Ambassador of India to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, was present when Trump made these claims.

President Trump participates in a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office, marking the Hindu festival symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.
https://t.co/6opwXYlAaf pic.twitter.com/u8MPMXJPfq

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) October 21, 2025

‘Oil from Russia’

Later, he said that he – ostensibly Modi – is “not going to buy much oil from Russia” and claimed that India is continuing to cut oil purchase from Russia “way back.” This is Trump’s fourth such claim in a week.

“I love the people of India. We’re working on some great deals between our countries. I spoke to Prime Minister Modi today and we just have a very good relationship. He’s not going to buy much oil from Russia. He wants to see that war end as much as I do. He wants to see the war between Russia and Ukraine to end. They’re not going to be buying too much oil. So they’ve cut it way back, and they’re continuing to cut it way back…”

Neither mentioning Pakistan, nor mentioning oil, Modi wrote at 8.11 am on October 22:

Thank you, President Trump, for your phone call and warm Diwali greetings. On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms.@realDonaldTrump @POTUS

Early on October 20 Indian time, Trump claimed for the third time in less than a week that India would stop buying Russian oil. He said that New Delhi would have to keep paying “massive tariffs” if it does not fall in line. “No, I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he’s not gonna be doing the Russian oil thing, so that’s it,” he said.

Trump on October 16 had claimed that Modi “assured” him India had begun halting its purchases of Russian oil and would soon be buying no crude from Moscow.

The Ministry of External Affairs did not confirm or deny a decision to stop buying Russian oil.

Later, during a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 17, Trump repeated this claim, saying India “will not be buying oil from Russia”. “And they’ve already de-escalated and they’ve, more or less, stopped. They’re pulling back. They bought about 38% of the oil and they won’t be doing it anymore,” he added.

This article went live on October twenty-second, two thousand twenty five, at forty-seven minutes past eleven in the morning.

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