Trump’s Kashmir Remarks Spark Controversy

Former United States President Donald Trump ignited debate by stating that Pakistan and India have been “fighting over Kashmir for 1,000 years.” His comments came amidst escalating tensions between the two nations.

Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors have become increasingly strained following a deadly attack in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) region of Pahalgam. This incident, which resulted in the deaths of numerous tourists, has pushed bilateral relations to a new low not seen in almost two decades.

While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump made the historically inaccurate statement that the two countries have been in conflict over Kashmir for a millennium. He remarked, “The Kashmir issue has been going on for a thousand years, maybe even longer, and this is a bad situation.”

Despite the factual error, none of the journalists present corrected Trump’s assertion that the Kashmir dispute originated from the contentious partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947.

In response to a journalist’s question regarding his concerns about border tensions, Trump claimed that tensions had existed there for 1,500 years and expressed confidence that the two nations would eventually resolve the issue.

He added, “India and Pakistan will figure out relations between themselves.”

Trump acknowledged the historical conflict in the contested border region and stated that he knew the leaders of both nations. However, he did not respond to inquiries about whether he intended to contact them.

“There’s great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been,” Trump observed.

Amidst worsening relations and the potential for war, the United Nations has called for “maximum restraint” from both countries. This appeal came as the two nuclear powers engaged in reciprocal diplomatic actions following the fatal shooting.

In the aftermath of the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing agreement, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, reduced diplomatic ties, and revoked visas for Pakistani citizens.

Islamabad responded by expelling Indian diplomats and military advisors, canceling visas for Indian nationals (excluding Sikh pilgrims), and closing the primary border crossing from its side.

Pakistan has also cautioned that any attempt by India to halt water flow from the Indus River would be considered an “act of war.”

Since its independence in 1947, Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan. India has yet to fulfill its commitment to holding a UN-mandated plebiscite.

Since 1989, rebel groups have been conducting an insurgency in IIOJK, demanding independence.