Trump
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he would work towards significantly increasing trade with both India and Pakistan, following their agreement to a ceasefire after days of intense fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Trump made the announcement on TruthSocial, stating, “I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great nations.”
The ceasefire, which was declared after days of deadly missile, drone, and artillery attacks, brought some relief to the region. However, shortly after the truce was agreed upon, both India and Pakistan exchanged accusations of violating the ceasefire.
India’s foreign secretary accused Pakistan of repeatedly breaching the truce, while Pakistan asserted that it remained committed to the ceasefire and that its forces were responding to violations from India with “responsibility and restraint.”
Reports from Srinagar, located in Indian-occupied Kashmir, indicated that loud explosions were heard, suggesting the possibility of continued military activity in the region.
A senior official from Azad Kashmir mentioned to AFP that “intermittent exchange of fire is ongoing” along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing Kashmir. However, these claims could not be independently verified, and no further details were immediately available.
The ceasefire announcement, which was made on Saturday, came after intense fighting had left at least 60 people dead and forced thousands to flee their homes, particularly along the border and in the contested region of Kashmir.
The news of the ceasefire was unexpectedly delivered by Trump, who stated that the United States had mediated talks between the two nations. “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE,” Trump wrote on social media, congratulating both countries for exercising “common sense and great intelligence.”
Later on Saturday, Trump praised the leadership of both India and Pakistan for understanding that it was time to end the aggression and reiterated his commitment to increasing trade with both nations.
He also expressed his intent to work with New Delhi and Islamabad to find a long-term solution to the Kashmir issue. In his post, Trump said, “Let’s see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir,” hinting at the complex and longstanding nature of the dispute.
