President Donald Trump has offered to work with India and Pakistan to achieve a long-controversial “solution” in the Kashmir region a few days after the administration brokered a ceasefire between two nuclear-armed rivals.
“I will work with you to see if we can reach a solution regarding Kashmir after a ‘million-year’,” Trump posted on his Truth Social Platform on Sunday.
The US President doubled the historically inaccurate claim that India and Pakistan are fighting “more than a thousand years.”
The majority of Muslim territory has been contested since 1947 when British India was divided into India and Pakistan. Both countries have fought three wars in the region. They both insist on the whole of Kashmir, but control that part.
India-controlled Kashmir has seen decades of armed rebellion due to independence or merger with Pakistan. New Delhi deployed more than 700,000 soldiers to counter the rebellion.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has remained committed to a decades-old policy of refusing international mediation to find a solution to the Kashmir issue. In 2019, Modi’s government stripped away the semi-automatic Indian-promoted Kashmir and further alienated them.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in its response that in its response it highly praised Trump’s willingness to resolve the Kashmir issue.
“Pakistan must reaffirm that a fair and lasting settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict must be in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and ensure the realization of the fundamental rights of the Kashmir people.
Although the Indian leader has not commented directly, Indian media cited unnamed government sources saying that no decision has been made to engage in consultations on anything beyond the ceasefire.
India and Pakistan agreed to stop all fights on Saturday, but Trump was the first to announce the deal on his online platform.
In his post on Sunday, Trump praised the ceasefire.
“I’m proud that America was able to help you reach this historic and heroic decision,” he wrote.
“It’s not discussed, but I intend to significantly increase trade with both these great countries.”
The latest battle between the two neighbors began when India attacked Pakistan in the aftermath of a shooting attack in India-controlled Pahargam, Kashmir, killing 26 civilians at tourist locations.
New Delhi again accused Pakistan of supporting “terrorist” groups that have launched many deadly attacks in India-controlled Kashmir for decades.
Pakistan strongly denied the accusations, India has long supported “terrorism” on its territory, and the attacks on Pahargam were false flag operations to launch the war.
The missile, drone and artillery attacks have meant the most serious fighting between the two countries since becoming nuclear militants decades ago.
“Neutral” website for lectures
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that in addition to the ceasefire, the two countries agreed to hold extensive talks on many issues on “neutral” sites.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif said on Saturday that his country believes in the path of peaceful negotiations to resolve issues regarding the distribution of water resources and “all issues including Jammu and Kashmir”.
However, India has refused to negotiate with contested regions for decades.
Momad Washem Mala, a researcher at the International Peace Research Centre in New Delhi, told Al Jazeera that Trump’s statement is not entirely surprising, but that it is likely to raise concerns in New Delhi, saying it is “hitting both tone and substance.”
“The proposal for third-party involvement, even in the pass, will cross the red line of New Delhi, especially under the current government.
He added that mentions Trump will boost trade and promote peace may appear to be internationally reconciliation, but India’s domestic political climate and strategic priorities are making it difficult to entertain such offers now.
“What’s important is how New Delhi calibrates its response, taking into account current sensitivity.”
Additionally, the two countries have not yet resolved the difference in water distribution as India’s participation in the Indus Water Treaty has come into effect.
In response to the Pahargam attack, India has also expelled Pakistani diplomats, military advisers and visa holders. Main land border intersections and stop trade have been closed. We have launched a Manhunt for the assailants.
Pakistan had been kicking Indian officials and citizens, shutting down airspace to Indian flights and threatening to withdraw from the Shimra Agreement, which supports Kashmir’s control line.
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