India firm on stand as Trump offers Kashmir role

US President Donald Trump on Sunday expressed willingness to mediate a resolution to the decades-old Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, sarcastically referring to it as a conflict of “a thousand years,” even as Pakistan breached a fresh ceasefire agreement within hours of its announcement.

New Delhi has consistently opposed any third-party intervention on the issue, asserting that Kashmir is an integral part of India and any discussion must be bilateral.

Posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump praised the ceasefire “understanding” reached between India and Pakistan after four days of escalating military hostilities triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack.

He warned that the situation could have resulted in the deaths of millions if not brought under control in time.

“I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have led to the death and destruction of so many, and so much. Millions of good and innocent people could have died! Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions,” Trump posted.

Claiming indirect credit for the de-escalation — which Islamabad violated just two hours after his remarks — Trump added:

“I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision. While not even discussed, I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations.”

He then proposed to mediate the Kashmir issue, a highly sensitive subject between the two South Asian neighbours.

“Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a ‘thousand years’, a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir. God Bless the leadership of India and Pakistan on a job well done!!!” he stated.

However, within hours of the ceasefire agreement taking effect on Saturday evening, Pakistani forces violated the truce by launching drone attacks and shelling Indian territories.

Ceasefire violations were reported in the Akhnoor, Mendhar, R.S. Pura, Chamb, Bhimber, and Gurez sectors. Loud explosions were also heard in Srinagar, despite the ceasefire being scheduled to commence at 5 p.m.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing a press conference on Saturday, confirmed that Indian forces have been responding "adequately" to the Pakistani breaches.

He noted that while the ceasefire understanding covered all military actions — on land, in the air, and at sea — Pakistan’s early violations had already compromised its credibility.

“This is a breach of understanding. The army is monitoring the situation closely,” Misri stated, adding that the Indian government has taken serious note of the fresh provocations.

Though the ceasefire has received global appreciation, the latest violations cast doubt on the viability of any long-term resolution — particularly on contentious issues like Kashmir, even with potential external mediation.

 

----IANS