WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Sunday expressed willingness to
mediate a resolution to the decades-old Kashmir dispute between India and
Pakistan, sarcastically terming it a conflict of "a thousand years,"
even as Pakistan breached a fresh ceasefire agreement within hours of its
announcement.
New Delhi has been opposed to any third-party mediation on
the issue as Kashmir is an integral part of India.
Posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump
lauded the ceasefire "understanding" between India and Pakistan that
followed four days of escalating military hostilities triggered by the Pahalgam
terror attack.
He warned that the situation could have led to the deaths of
millions if not controlled 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 wrote.
Claiming credit for the de-escalation, which Islamabad broke
nearly two hours after Trump's announcement, he 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."
Trump also proposed to mediate the Kashmir issue, a highly
sensitive subject between India and Pakistan.
"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
posted.
However, hours after the ceasefire agreement took effect on
Saturday evening, Pakistani forces violated the understanding by launching
drone attacks and shelling Indian territories.
Ceasefire violations were reported in Akhnoor, Mendhar, R.S.
Pura, Chamb, Bhimber, and Gurez sectors. Loud explosions were also heard in
Srinagar, despite the truce being scheduled to begin 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 although the ceasefire understanding was
reached to halt all military actions -- on land, in the air, and at sea --
Pakistan's actions have already compromised it.
"This is a breach of understanding. The army is
monitoring the situation closely," Misri stated, emphasising that the
Indian government has taken serious note of the fresh Pakistani provocations.
The
ceasefire, though welcomed globally, now stands on shaky ground with the latest
violations, raising questions over the feasibility of any long-term resolution
-- especially on contentious issues like Kashmir, even with external mediation.
