WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump on Thursday once again offered to arbitrate the Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India, echoing comments made by the US State Department a day earlier, Dawn.com reported.

Trump had earlier offered to work on the Kashmir issue after he brokered a ceasefire between the two nuclear powers following their military confrontation earlier this year.

In a message lauding the countries’ leaders for achieving peace, he had remarked, “I will work with both of you to see if, after a ‘thousand years’, a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir.”

Fielding questions after a bill-signing ceremony on Thursday, the US president said that he “stopped a war” between Pakistan and India.

“Eventually they were gonna go nuclear … and I stopped it, I called each leader … and I spoke to them and talked about trade,” Trump said. “I said, ‘You’re not trading with us if you go to war … if you’re going to start throwing nuclear weapons around.

Field Marshal Munir due in US for talks this week

“They were both unbelievable. They understood it exactly, they stopped. I stopped that war with phone calls and trade,” Trump added. He further said that India is negotiating a trade deal in Washington, and a Pakistani delegation would arrive “I think next week”.

In response to another question, Trump said, “We’re going to get them together. I told them, India and Pakistan … they have a longtime rivalry over Kashmir. I told them ‘I can solve anything.’

“I will be your arbitrator. I will be your arbitrator. I can solve anything.”

Army chief’s visit

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir is set to embark on a key visit to the United States this week for talks aimed at strengthening ties between the Pentagon and the Pakistan military.

Although media reports have suggested that COAS Munir will participate in celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the US Army, several sources told Dawn that this is a bilateral visit, not tied to the parade being held in Washington on June 14.

“He may not even attend the parade,” one of the sources said, while another said the army chief might be in attendance due to the timing of the event, as it coincides with his visit.

The army chief is expected to meet with US secretaries of State and Defence during his stay in Washington. He may also visit the headquarters of the US Central Command (Centcom) in Tampa, Florida. The official visit is scheduled to end on June 18.

South Asia Analyst Michael Kugelman noted that while “much is unclear” about Field Marshal Munir’s reported upcoming trip to the US, his likely visit to Centcom is notable.

Pakistan has long contributed to global counterterrorism efforts and regional stability, evidenced by Centcom chief Gen Michael Kurilla’s recent remarks before Congress, which reaffirmed the value Washington places on this partnership.

Diplomatic sources suggest the field marshal’s meetings will foc­us on counterterrorism cooperation, regional security dynamics, and Pakistan’s role in promoting peace in South Asia. Discus­sions may also touch on US-China tensions — an area where Pakistan has historically played a bridging role.

With input from Anwar Iqbal

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2025