The offer to mediate the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan by US President, Donald Trump has put India in a difficult position. For decades, India has opposed third-party mediation, particularly on the long-running dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir. Trump’s comments came after he announced a ceasefire between the two countries on Saturday, brokered by the US.
“I will work with you both to see if, after a thousand years, a solution can be arrived at, concerning Kashmir,” Trump said. The Kashmir dispute dates back to 1947 when India gained independence from British rule and was partitioned to create Pakistan. Both countries claim the Kashmir region in whole but administer it only in part.
India’s government has not formally responded to Trump’s offer, but Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized India’s firm stance against terrorism. “India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so,” he said.
The Indian side is unlikely to welcome Trump’s offer, according to Shyam Saran, a former Indian foreign secretary. “Obviously, it would not be welcome by the Indian side. It goes against our stated position for many years,” Saran said.
Reactions from Pakistan
In contrast, Pakistan has welcomed Trump’s comments. “We also appreciate President Trump’s expressed willingness to support efforts aimed at the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute – a longstanding issue that has serious implications for peace and security in South Asia and beyond,” a foreign ministry statement said.
Pakistan’s perspective on third-party mediation differs from India’s. “Pakistan has always wanted third-party mediation in the Kashmir issue in the absence of mutual trust between the two countries,” Imtiaz Gul, executive director of Centre for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad, said. “Now a superpower is willing to stick its neck out. Pakistan will see this as a moral victory,” Gul added.
Pakistani strategic experts like Syed Muhammad Ali argue that the international community should step in to avoid future conflicts due to India’s consistent refusal to engage with Pakistan. “Kashmir is one of the most critical issues for the international community. The recent rapid escalation proves that the sabre-rattling can go out of hand,” Ali said.
India’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
India will have to navigate a delicate balance to stave off Trump’s advances while maintaining its stance on Kashmir. The US has courted India as a bulwark against China’s growing assertiveness, and India is a key member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue group (Quad) along with the US, Australia, and Japan.
The US is India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching about $130 billion in 2024. Modi’s government is currently negotiating a trade deal with Washington to avoid tariffs. Delhi will have to walk a fine line, being averse to taking up Trump’s offer to mediate while keeping a favourable trading relationship with the US.
Domestic Reactions in India
The main opposition Congress party has sought an explanation from the government and an all-party meeting on the “ceasefire announcements made from Washington DC first”. “Have we opened the doors to third-party mediation? The Indian National Congress would like to ask if diplomatic channels between India and Pakistan are being reopened,” said Congress party spokesman Jairam Ramesh.