ONE of the noteworthy outcomes of last month’s limited clashes between Pakistan and India is that the Kashmir issue is once again being discussed in the international arena. In particular, US President Donald Trump has offered his good offices to help resolve the nearly eight-decade-old imbroglio. Of course, this offer is anathema to India, as New Delhi considers Kashmir an ‘internal’ issue, though it cannot outright rebuff US interest in the issue. During a press briefing on Tuesday, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce again held up the possibility of Mr Trump’s mediation in the Kashmir affair. Replying to a question, she observed that while she did not have details regarding how the US president intends to address the issue, “it shouldn’t surprise anyone that he’d want to manage something like that”. Though this is not exactly confirmation that the US is about to dive headlong into the subcontinent’s most complicated dispute, it does indicate that the White House is interested in seeing the issue resolved.

While Islamabad has welcomed US offers of mediation, this sentiment is lacking in New Delhi, which, in 2019, reneged on India-held Kashmir’s autonomy. And although Mr Trump is adamant that it was his efforts that pulled both sides back from the brink, Indian officials have denied or downplayed America’s role in the ceasefire. Perhaps these denials, and India’s aversion to foreign help in resolving the Kashmir dispute, stem from an inflated sense of self-importance. The fact is that not only is the status quo not working, it has fuelled further mistrust in South Asia. If India is allergic to internationalising Kashmir, let it open direct channels with Pakistan and resolve all outstanding issues at the negotiating table. Pakistan has stated its readiness to talk, but India has displayed rigidity. Both sides must favour a negotiated settlement — with or without foreign involvement — as the unpleasant alternative to dialogue is further conflict.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2025