After claiming to have mediated the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump has now offered to resolve the Kashmir issue. This statement has not only sparked a fresh debate in India and Pakistan but also on the global stage. Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, “I will work with both countries to find a solution to the ‘thousand-year-old’ Kashmir issue.” This remark has provoked sharp reactions in India, where Kashmir is considered an internal and bilateral matter.
Trump claims to have mediated the ceasefire
Last week, tensions between India and Pakistan reached a peak when Indian armed forces attacked terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strike was in response to a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. This was followed by a series of drone and missile attacks between the two nations. On Saturday, both countries agreed to an immediate ceasefire. Trump claimed that this agreement was the result of “long night talks” facilitated by American mediation.
However, India dismissed this claim, stating that the agreement was reached through direct talks between the two nations. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs clarified that there is no scope for third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue.
Trump’s Offers to Mediate on Kashmir Issue
On Sunday, Trump labeled Kashmir a “thousand-year-old conflict” in his statement and said he would work with both countries to find a resolution. He also mentioned plans to “significantly” boost trade with India and Pakistan. This statement has stirred political circles in India.
Congress MP Manish Tewari sharply criticized Trump’s remarks, stating, “Kashmir is not some biblical thousand-year-old conflict. It began on October 22, 1947, when Pakistan invaded the independent state of Jammu and Kashmir.” Tewari emphasized the need to “educate” Trump.
Someone in the US establishment needs to seriously educate their President @POTUS @realDonaldTrump that Kashmir is not a biblical 1000 year old conflict.
It started on 22 nd October 1947 – 78 years ago when Pakistan invaded the Independent State of Jammu & Kashmir that… pic.twitter.com/Ug4nmO338H
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) May 11, 2025Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also raised questions about Trump’s statement, saying, “This tweet will raise many questions.” He demanded that the Indian government adopt a clear stance on the issue.
India’s Stance on the Kashmir Issue
India has consistently maintained that Kashmir is an integral part of its territory and has outright rejected any third-party mediation. Under the 1972 Shimla Agreement, India and Pakistan agreed to resolve their issues bilaterally. Following Trump’s statement, the Congress raised concerns about a potential violation of the Shimla Agreement, asking, “Have we opened the door to third-party mediation?”
Defense expert Brigadier (Retired) Hemant, Hemant Mahajan dismissed Trump’s mediation offer as “ineffective,” noting that Trump’s previous international negotiations have yielded little success. He suggested that instead of mediation, the US should provide India with advanced technology and intelligence to counter Pakistan’s “grey zone warfare” strategy.
Global Perspective on the Kashmir Issue
The Kashmir issue has long been a major source of tension between India and Pakistan. Both countries claim the region in its entirety, though each controls a portion of it. China also holds a part of Kashmir. The dispute originated with the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 following the end of British colonial rule.
Trump’s statement comes at a time when the US’s role as a global mediator is under scrutiny. Some analysts believe this move by the Trump administration could signal a new direction in its foreign policy, while others see it as mere publicity stunt.
The Road Ahead
India has made it clear that it will not accept third-party mediation on Kashmir. However, Trump’s statement has heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Experts believe India must adopt proactive diplomacy to further strengthen its position on the issue.
The Kashmir issue is critical not only for India and Pakistan but also for the stability of the entire South Asian region. Trump’s offer has once again brought this complex issue into the global spotlight, but finding a resolution will not be easy.
