Washington: Just 16 hours after announcing a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump on Sunday offered to help both countries find a solution to the long-standing Kashmir issue. His comments came in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump praised the leadership of both nations for showing “strength, wisdom, and fortitude” in stopping further military aggression. He said their decision to cease hostilities could have saved millions of innocent lives and prevented massive destruction. “Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions,” he wrote.
US proud to play role in helping India and Pakistan: Trump
The US President also said that the United States was proud to play a role in helping India and Pakistan reach this ceasefire decision, although the exact nature of that involvement was not specified.
In a surprising move, Trump said that while the Kashmir issue was not formally discussed during ceasefire efforts, he is now willing to work with both countries to find a peaceful resolution to the decades-old dispute. “I will work with you both to see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir,” he said.
He also said that he plans to increase trade with both India and Pakistan, calling them “great nations.” However, no further details were shared about the proposed trade measures.
Trump’s remarks on Kashmir may not go down well with New Delhi, as India has always maintained that Kashmir is an internal matter and has opposed third-party mediation. India considers the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of the country. A formal response from Indian government to Trump’s offer is still awaited.
Trump concluded his message by thanking the leadership of both India and Pakistan and said, “God bless the leadership of India and Pakistan on a job well done.”
The ceasefire announcement and Trump’s follow-up remarks have come at a time when tensions between the two neighbours had reached a level following airstrikes, drone attacks, and cross-border shelling over the past week.
Ceasefire agreement
Pakistan violated the ceasefire merely three hours after it was declared at 5 pm on Saturday. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a media briefing, confirmed the violation and said the Indian Army has been ordered to respond strictly. “The army is keeping a close watch on the situation. Pakistan is completely responsible for breaking the agreement. It must understand the seriousness of the situation and act to de-escalate immediately,” he said.
The ceasefire was supposed to ease tensions following a week of cross-border strikes, drone attacks, and artillery shelling. Misri said Pakistan had broken the agreement that was reached at the level of the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries. “India is giving a befitting reply. The government has ordered the army to take concrete and strict action,” he added.
