Trump offers to help resolve Kashmir issue

A fragile ceasefire was holding between India and Pakistan on Sunday, after hours of

overnight fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours, as US President Donald Trump said he will work to provide a solution regarding Kashmir.

Trump praised leaders of both countries for agreeing to halt the aggression and said he would "substantially" increase trade with them.

"I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations," he posted on TruthSocial after the two neighbours agreed to a ceasefire after days of deadly fighting. "I will work with you both to see if ... a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir," he said in a post on Truth Social.

“Millions of good and innocent people could have died! Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions,” he added.

Trump also credited the United States for its role in supporting the peace effort. “I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision,” he said.

While he acknowledged that Kashmir was not part of the immediate discussions, Trump said he intended to work with both nations on the long-standing territorial dispute. “I will work with you both to see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir,” he said. “God Bless the leadership of India and Pakistan on a job well done!!!”

Trump also reiterated plans to “increase trade substantially” with both India and Pakistan, calling them “great Nations.”

Pakistan's foreign ministry welcomed Trump's statement on Sunday and added that "any just and lasting settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute ... must ensure the realisation of the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people, including their inalienable right to self-determination."

The arch rivals were locked in intense fighting for four days, the worst in nearly three decades, firing missiles and drones at each other's military installations, killing almost 70 people in all in the two countries.

A ceasefire agreement was reached after diplomacy and pressure from the United States, but within hours, artillery fire was witnessed in Indian Kashmir, the centre of much of the fighting.

Earlier, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed the confidence that the path of talks would be opted for the resolution of the issues of Kashmir, share of water, and other unresolved matters as per norms of justice.

In his televised address to the nation late on Saturday night, he said that as a responsible nation, Pakistan gave a positive response to the ceasefire offer for the sake of regional and world peace.

Meanwhile, Pakistan, as announced by the premier, observed Youm-e-Tashakur (day of thanks) on Sunday to mark its befitting response to Indian aggression and the success of "Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos."

The day offered gratitude to God, paid tribute to the valour of the armed forces and appreciated the unity of the entire nation.

Shahbaz urged the nation and religious scholars to offer prayers across the country as an expression of gratitude to God and called for special prayers for martyrs. "The sacrifices of the Pakistani armed forces can never be forgotten. The nation stands by their side."

In his speech, he especially thanked US President Trump for making sincere efforts to broker the ceasefire between Pakistan and India.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Beijing supported India and Pakistan's efforts to reach a ceasefire, and remains "willing to continue playing a constructive role" in the process, state news agency Xinhua reported.

In Indian-administered Kashmir, hundreds of thousands of people who had evacuated also began to cautiously return home after heavy Pakistani shelling — many expressing the same fears as on the Pakistani side.

In Pakistan-controlled Kashmir's Neelum Valley, which is three kilometres from the Line of Control, people said there were exchanges of fire and heavy shelling after the ceasefire began.

Resident Mohammad Zahid said: "We were happy about the announcement but, once again, the situation feels uncertain."

Chakothi taxi driver Muhammad Akhlaq said the ceasefire was "no guarantee of lasting peace."

"I have serious doubts about it because the core issue that fuels hostility between the two countries still remains unresolved — and that issue is Kashmir," said the 56-year-old.