SOURCE: IANS
US President Donald Trump expressed willingness to mediate a resolution to the decades-old Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, terming it a conflict of “a thousand years,” even as India said Pakistan breached a fresh ceasefire agreement within hours of its announcement.
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 in April in which 26 civilians were killed.
He said 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, 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 the evening of Saturday, May 10, Pakistani forces violated the agreement by launching drone attacks and shelling Indian territories, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed.Addressing a press conference on the night of May 10, Vikram Misri said 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.