Trump Offers Kashmir Mediation Post-Ceasefire; India Reiterates No Third-Party Stance

GG News Bureau
Washington/New Delhi, 11th May: US President Donald Trump has offered to mediate the Kashmir issue, just 16 hours after unexpectedly announcing a US-brokered ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The offer, made via his social media platform, comes as India has consistently maintained that Kashmir is an integral part of India and has opposed any third-party mediation in the matter. An official response from the Indian government to the mediation offer is awaited.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, the US President praised the leadership of both nations for stopping the “current aggression.” “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,” he wrote.

Trump claimed the USA “was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision.” He added plans to increase trade with both nations and then made the offer regarding Kashmir: “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,” the US President added.

This offer follows Trump’s surprise announcement yesterday afternoon that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE.” The development was unexpected considering the two sides had exchanged heavy fire just hours before, with India targeting terror infrastructure and Pakistan responding with shelling and missile/drone launches. Trump had initially posted, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio soon after confirmed the agreement, stating he and Vice President JD Vance had spoken to key leaders and officials on both sides, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Pakistan’s Army chief Asim Munir, and the National Security Advisors of the two countries, Ajit Doval and Asim Malik. Rubio added the countries would “start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.”

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the ceasefire about half an hour later, though official Indian responses have notably not highlighted any US role in the agreement. He stated that India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had received a call from his Pakistani counterpart yesterday afternoon. “It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, and in the air and sea, with effect from 1700 hours IST Saturday,” Misri said. He added that instructions had been given on both sides and the DGMOs would talk again on May 12. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar reiterated India’s “firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to comment publicly.

From the Pakistan side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the immediate ceasefire. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif explicitly thanked US President Trump for his “leadership and proactive role for peace” and appreciated the United States for “facilitating this outcome.” Sharif stated Pakistan accepted the ceasefire in the interest of regional peace and stability and believes it marks a “new beginning” for resolving regional issues.

However, hours after the ceasefire announcement, reports of violations emerged from Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Foreign Secretary issued a fresh statement confirming that the understanding reached between the DGMOs was being violated by Pakistan. He stated the Indian Army was retaliating against a “border intrusion,” calling it “extremely condemnable” and holding Pakistan responsible. He urged Pakistan to “understand this situation properly and take appropriate action immediately” to stop the intrusion.

The ceasefire came after four days of spiralling tensions triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. India responded on May 7 with airstrikes (Operation Sindoor) on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, emphasizing the strikes targeted terror outfits only. Pakistan retaliated with heavy shelling, causing civilian deaths, and launched drones and missiles towards civilian areas, most of which were intercepted by India’s air defence. India then targeted Pakistan’s military installations, including key airbases, inflicting damage.

Representatives from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force later addressed a briefing, stating they would adhere to the ceasefire but remain “fully prepared and ever-vigilant” and committed to defending national sovereignty and integrity. They warned that “Every misadventure by Pakistan has been met with strength and every future escalation will invite a decisive response.”