Washington (TDI): The US State Department on Wednesday reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s interest in playing a role in the resolution of the decades-old Kashmir dispute, stating that every move he makes is aimed at addressing long-standing international conflicts.
The remarks follow Trump’s earlier comments, where he offered to help resolve the Kashmir issue after mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, an effort that helped de-escalate one of the most serious military standoffs between the nuclear neighbors in recent years.
In a statement praising both nations for stepping back from the edge of conflict, Trump had said: “I’ll work with both sides to see if, after what feels like a thousand years, a solution to Kashmir can finally be found.”
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During a White House briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce was asked what steps the administration planned to take in light of Trump’s offer. While declining to discuss specifics, she said, “I can’t speak for his exact plans, but the world is well aware of his nature, he’s brought people together for conversations no one thought possible.”
Bruce added that it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Trump attempts to take on an issue like Kashmir. “He’s been the only one to get certain players to the table,” she said, expressing cautious optimism about potential progress.
Responding to a question about recent diplomatic engagements, Bruce confirmed that a Pakistani delegation led by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited Washington and met with State Department officials, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker. Their discussions covered a wide range of topics in the Pak-US relationship, particularly security cooperation and the current ceasefire along the Line of Control.
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She also noted that Deputy Secretary Landau had held a separate meeting with an Indian parliamentary delegation just last week, where he reiterated strong US support for India’s counterterrorism efforts.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has stepped up its diplomatic outreach in Washington, aiming to present its narrative on rising tensions with India and counter India’s increasing influence through lobbying in the US capital.
