Washington– The U.S. State Department stirred fresh controversy Tuesday by revisiting former President Donald Trump’s claim of interest in mediating the Kashmir dispute, despite India’s consistent and categorical rejection of third-party involvement in the matter.
Speaking at a regular press briefing, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce responded to a reporter’s question regarding Trump’s earlier statements on Kashmir, saying, “Obviously, I can’t speak to what’s on the mind or the plans of the president.” However, she added, “President Trump has consistently sought to resolve generational conflicts, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that he might want to mediate a situation like Kashmir.”
Bruce’s remarks come despite India’s unwavering position that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated New Delhi’s stance, stating, “We have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That policy has not changed. The outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan.”
India’s policy is firmly rooted in the principles of the 1972 Simla Agreement, which commits both nations to resolve issues bilaterally without external intervention.
At the briefing, Bruce also referred to Trump’s supposed ability to bring opposing parties to the negotiating table. “He has been the only one to get certain people talking when no one thought it was possible,” she said, before deflecting questions about any specific plans, urging reporters to “call the White House.”
She further claimed the U.S. played a role in brokering a ceasefire during last month’s four-day conflict between India and Pakistan—an assertion India has strongly denied. “It is an exciting time if we can reach a resolution in that conflict—thank God, but also thank Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio, President Trump, and Vice President [JD] Vance,” Bruce said.
India, however, has rejected such claims outright. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified before a parliamentary committee that the ceasefire decision was taken independently by the two countries. “The U.S. did not broker the ceasefire,” he stated unequivocally.
According to Jaiswal, it was India’s overwhelming military response during Operation Sindoor that forced Pakistan to seek a halt in hostilities. “Let me be clear—it was the force of Indian arms that compelled Pakistan to stop its firing,” he said. “Early on the morning of May 10, we launched an extremely effective strike on key Pakistani Air Force bases. That action shifted the dynamics.”
Bruce also declined to share details when asked whether Pakistan had offered any assurances to crack down on terrorist activity during recent diplomatic talks in Washington. “I am not going to discuss the details of those conversations,” she said.
The State Department’s comments are likely to spark fresh diplomatic tension, especially given India’s resolute stance on handling the Kashmir issue internally and bilaterally with Pakistan. (Source: IANS)
