US President Donald Trump on Friday sought to minimise global concern over the growing conflict between India and Pakistan after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people—25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Rome, Trump said, “I am very close to India and I'm very close to Pakistan, as you know. And they've had that fight for 1,000 years in Kashmir. Kashmir has been going on for 1,000 years, probably longer than that. And it was a bad one yesterday, though, that was a bad one. Over 30 people.”
Asked if he intended to mediate or intervene in the crisis, Trump responded, “There have been tensions on that border for 1,500 years. So, you know, the same as it's been, but they'll get it figured out one way or the other. I'm sure… I know both leaders. There is great tension between Pakistan and India. But there always has been.”
Attack sparks fierce diplomatic and security fallout
The Pahalgam attack is the deadliest in the region since Pulwama in 2019. The Resistance Front (TRF), widely believed to be a proxy for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba group based in Pakistan, has claimed responsibility. According to Indian officials, three gunmen opened fire on unarmed tourists in Baisaran meadow, a scenic spot near Pahalgam.
In retaliation, the Indian government initiated a series of swift and sweeping diplomatic and security measures:
Indian authorities insist the response is proportionate and necessary. Pakistan, however, has rejected any connection to the attack, calling the allegations “frivolous” and warning of reprisals if further escalatory steps are taken by India.
Also Read: India serves note verbale to Pakistan on abeyance of Indus Water Treaty
Tensions boil over along the LoC
As of Friday evening, Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing Kashmir. No casualties were immediately reported, but officials confirmed that the situation remains volatile.
This latest incident threatens to push the already fragile relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbours to a new low. Public sentiment in India has grown more hawkish following the attack, while Pakistani officials remain defiant in the face of mounting pressure.
Also Read: From Mundra port to Pahalgam: Probe agency finds Rs 21,000 crore link between Gujarat and Kashmir terror attack
The Indus Waters Treaty and Kashmir’s long shadow
The Indus Waters Treaty, a rare example of sustained cooperation between India and Pakistan, was brokered by the World Bank after nine years of negotiations. Signed in 1960, it grants Pakistan control over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab), while India retains access to the eastern ones (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), with limited rights over the western rivers for irrigation and hydroelectric purposes.
Despite three wars and multiple standoffs, the treaty has held firm—until now.
The Kashmir conflict itself dates back to 1947, the year of independence and Partition. Since then, insurgencies and cross-border hostilities have flared intermittently. Armed rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir since 1989, calling for independence or a merger with Pakistan.
Trump’s remarks offered little in terms of mediation but reflected a larger unwillingness from Washington to insert itself directly into the crisis. By invoking history and personal ties to both nations, the US President implied that this was not Washington’s fight.
But for India and Pakistan, the stakes are immediate—and deeply personal. Kashmir remains an unresolved wound, and with each attack and retaliation, the scars deepen.
As Trump put it, “There is great tension between Pakistan and India. But there always has been.”
Whether that status quo holds—or explodes—will depend not on the words of outsiders, but the actions of both governments in the days ahead.
Also Read: 'Not even a drop of water will go to Pakistan': India vows to '100% implement' suspension of Indus Water Treaty
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Rome, Trump said, “I am very close to India and I'm very close to Pakistan, as you know. And they've had that fight for 1,000 years in Kashmir. Kashmir has been going on for 1,000 years, probably longer than that. And it was a bad one yesterday, though, that was a bad one. Over 30 people.”
Asked if he intended to mediate or intervene in the crisis, Trump responded, “There have been tensions on that border for 1,500 years. So, you know, the same as it's been, but they'll get it figured out one way or the other. I'm sure… I know both leaders. There is great tension between Pakistan and India. But there always has been.”
Attack sparks fierce diplomatic and security fallout
The Pahalgam attack is the deadliest in the region since Pulwama in 2019. The Resistance Front (TRF), widely believed to be a proxy for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba group based in Pakistan, has claimed responsibility. According to Indian officials, three gunmen opened fire on unarmed tourists in Baisaran meadow, a scenic spot near Pahalgam.
In retaliation, the Indian government initiated a series of swift and sweeping diplomatic and security measures:
- The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 and long considered a pillar of bilateral cooperation, was suspended.
- India shut down the Integrated Check Post at Attari, halting overland transit with Pakistan.
- The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals was suspended, giving those present in India 40 hours to leave.
- Both countries have scaled down diplomatic staff in their respective High Commissions.
Indian authorities insist the response is proportionate and necessary. Pakistan, however, has rejected any connection to the attack, calling the allegations “frivolous” and warning of reprisals if further escalatory steps are taken by India.
Also Read: India serves note verbale to Pakistan on abeyance of Indus Water Treaty
Tensions boil over along the LoC
As of Friday evening, Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing Kashmir. No casualties were immediately reported, but officials confirmed that the situation remains volatile.
This latest incident threatens to push the already fragile relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbours to a new low. Public sentiment in India has grown more hawkish following the attack, while Pakistani officials remain defiant in the face of mounting pressure.
Also Read: From Mundra port to Pahalgam: Probe agency finds Rs 21,000 crore link between Gujarat and Kashmir terror attack
The Indus Waters Treaty and Kashmir’s long shadow
The Indus Waters Treaty, a rare example of sustained cooperation between India and Pakistan, was brokered by the World Bank after nine years of negotiations. Signed in 1960, it grants Pakistan control over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab), while India retains access to the eastern ones (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), with limited rights over the western rivers for irrigation and hydroelectric purposes.
Despite three wars and multiple standoffs, the treaty has held firm—until now.
The Kashmir conflict itself dates back to 1947, the year of independence and Partition. Since then, insurgencies and cross-border hostilities have flared intermittently. Armed rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir since 1989, calling for independence or a merger with Pakistan.
Trump’s remarks offered little in terms of mediation but reflected a larger unwillingness from Washington to insert itself directly into the crisis. By invoking history and personal ties to both nations, the US President implied that this was not Washington’s fight.
But for India and Pakistan, the stakes are immediate—and deeply personal. Kashmir remains an unresolved wound, and with each attack and retaliation, the scars deepen.
As Trump put it, “There is great tension between Pakistan and India. But there always has been.”
Whether that status quo holds—or explodes—will depend not on the words of outsiders, but the actions of both governments in the days ahead.
Also Read: 'Not even a drop of water will go to Pakistan': India vows to '100% implement' suspension of Indus Water Treaty
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