Washington, DC – In his first public comments following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, US President Donald Trump condemned the incident as a “bad one” and expressed hope that India and Pakistan would find a resolution to their long-standing tensions.
While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump referred to the April 22 attack, which left 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen dead, and several others injured. He acknowledged the deep-rooted conflict over Kashmir and reiterated his close diplomatic ties with both South Asian nations.
When asked about the escalating situation between India and Pakistan in the wake of the deadly assault, Trump said:
“I am very close to India and I’m very close to Pakistan, as you know, and they’ve had that fight for a thousand years in Kashmir. Kashmir has been going on for a thousand years, probably longer than that, and it (terrorist attack) was a bad one yesterday, that (terrorist attack) was a bad one, over 30 people.”
Trump emphasized that the tensions between the two countries are not new:
“Tensions on that border for 1,500 years. So, you know, it’s been the same, but I am sure they’ll get it figured out one way or the other. I know both leaders, there’s great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been.”
Background on the Attack & Aftermath:
The terrorist attack occurred at the popular Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, a key tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. It claimed 26 lives and injured many others. In response, the Indian government implemented a series of diplomatic countermeasures:
- Closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari
- Suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, requiring them to leave within 40 hours
- Reduction in diplomatic staff at High Commissions in both countries
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a major bilateral agreement signed in 1960
About the Indus Waters Treaty:
The Indus Waters Treaty was brokered by the World Bank after nine years of negotiations and is considered one of the most successful water-sharing treaties globally. The agreement divides the six rivers of the Indus basin:
- Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan
- Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India
The treaty allows India access to 20% of the water from the Indus River System, with the remaining 80% reserved for Pakistan. Despite numerous conflicts over the decades, the treaty has largely remained intact — until now.