Trump’s Kashmir Comments Spark Backlash Amid Fragile India-Pakistan Ceasefire

Monday 12 May 2025 - 08:01

By: Zahouani Ilham

Trump’s Kashmir Comments Spark Backlash Amid Fragile India-Pakistan Ceasefire

US President Donald Trump is facing strong backlash following his recent remarks about the ongoing conflict in Kashmir, as a tenuous ceasefire between India and Pakistan remains intact. Posting on Truth Social, Trump stated his willingness to assist both nations in resolving the dispute, saying: "I will work with you both (India and Pakistan) to see if, after a 'thousand years', a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir."

His statement drew immediate criticism. Indian lawmaker Manish Tewari criticized Trump’s historical reference, noting that the Kashmir conflict dates back to 1947, not a millennium. “How difficult is it to grasp this simple fact?” Tewari asked via social media.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office reiterated its long-standing position that any resolution must involve the right of Kashmiris to determine their own future.

Speaking to Sky News, Kashmiri writer Mirza Waheed described the recent violence as one of the most dangerous escalations in the region in years. “People were terrified,” he said. “Many hadn’t slept for days due to intense shelling. Homes were destroyed, families displaced, fires everywhere. People were hiding in makeshift shelters. The suffering has been immense.”

Despite mutual accusations of violating the ceasefire, the truce has held. Sky News correspondent Cordelia Lynch, reporting from Lahore, noted a sense of relief but pointed to contrasting national narratives. “In Pakistan, there's a sense of victory. They’ve credited the US—particularly Trump—for playing a major role,” she reported. “India, however, has remained largely silent on Washington’s involvement.”

The ceasefire comes after days of severe military exchanges. India carried out strikes on Pakistani territory in retaliation for a militant attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir that claimed 26 lives. In response, Pakistan launched missile attacks targeting multiple sites within India, claiming it was in retaliation for attacks on its airbases.