Kashmir not a biblical 1000-year-old conflict: Congress on Trump's mediation offer
Congress MP Manish Tewari (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: After United States President Donald Trump offered to mediate on the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, the Congress party strongly criticised the offer, asserting that Kashmir is not an age-old conflict and reiterating its demand for an
all-party meeting
and a special Parliament session.
Congress MP Manish Tewari, responding to Trump's remarks, said the Kashmir conflict began only 78 years ago and not a "biblical" one as implied.
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In a post on X, Tewari said, "Someone in the US establishment needs to seriously educate their President @POTUS @realDonaldTrump that Kashmir is not a biblical 1000-year-old conflict. It started on October 22, 1947 - 78 years ago when Pakistan invaded the Independent State of Jammu & Kashmir that subsequently was ceded to India in' FULL' by Maharaja Hari Singh on October 26, 1947 that includes areas illegally occupied by Pakistan till now. How difficult is it to grasp this simple fact?"
Echoing similar concerns, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh once again called for an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a special Parliament session to address issues arising from the recent developments, including the terror attack in Pahalgam, India's military response through
Operation Sindoor
, and the
ceasefire agreement
.
"The Indian National Congress once again demands that an all-party meeting be called under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister and a special session of Parliament be held on the issue of Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor and the cessation of hostilities, announced first in Washington DC and subsequently by the Governments of India and Pakistan, so that all these issues can be discussed comprehensively," Jairam said.
He also raised concerns over remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio referring to a "neutral forum" for dialogue between India and Pakistan.
"The Indian National Congress believes that the mention of a "neutral forum" for dialogue between India and Pakistan by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio raises several questions - have we abandoned the Shimla Agreement? Have we opened the door for third party mediation? The Indian National Congress would like to ask whether diplomatic channels are being reopened between India and Pakistan? What commitments have we sought from Pakistan and what have we received?" he questioned further.
The comments came a day after the US President welcomed the India-Pakistan ceasefire, warning of the potential for massive destruction if hostilities had continued.
In a post on Truth Social, the US President said, "I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have led to the death and destruction of so many, and so much. Millions of good and innocent people could have died! Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions."
Trump also reiterated the US's role in brokering the ceasefire and repeated his offer to mediate a resolution on Kashmir.
"I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision. While not even discussed, I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations. Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a "thousand years," a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir. God Bless the leadership of India and Pakistan on a job well done!!!"
India has consistently rejected any third-party involvement in the Kashmir issue, maintaining that
Jammu and Kashmir
is its internal matter and an integral part of the country.
On Saturday, according to news agency ANI, Indian officials also downplayed Washington's role in the latest ceasefire development, stating that the understanding was reached through military-to-military communication between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.
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