U.S. President Donald Trump, while noting that Pakistan-India tensions go back a long time, has expressed the hope that the two South Asian countries would be able to figure out a way, after the latest flare-up arising from massacre of 26 tourists in the disputed Kashmir region.
He was talking to journalists aboard Air Force One as New Delhi engaged in retaliatory measures after gunmen killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir.
““I am very close to India, and I’m very close to Pakistan, as you know. And they’ve been fighting for 1,000 years in Kashmir. Kashmir has been going on for 1,000 years, probably longer than that,” he said in response to a question.
Questioned if he would talk to the leaders of the two nations about the attack, Trump said, “There have been tensions on that border for 1,500 years. So you know, it’s been the same, but they’ll get it figured out one way or the other. I’m sure… I know both leaders. There is great tension between Pakistan and India. But there always has been.”
Immediately after the attack, New Delhi points its finger at Pakistan and announced it was unilaterally suspending the Indus Water Treaty that governs distribution of water flowing our of Kashmir region rivers.
Pakistan has rejected the Indian allegations of any link to the April 22 attack, and retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian flights.
The two countries have also expelled each other’s diplomats and asked the visitors to leave for their homes since their visas have been canceled.
