Pakistan is launching a fresh diplomatic effort to get former US President Donald Trump to help facilitate peace talks with India as it faces growing international isolation over its response to terrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif openly commended Trump for his prior role in reducing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors at a gathering organized by the US Embassy in Islamabad. Sharif also called on Washington to take a more active role in promoting a thorough discussion.
Sharif’s comments closely mirrored those of former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who claimed that Trump should be credited for making it possible for India and Pakistan to reach a ceasefire and that he had claimed credit for the accomplishment at least ten times.
Bhutto contended that if the United States was prepared to assist in preserving the truce, it was fair to assume that its engagement in setting up a more extensive conversation would also benefit Pakistan. The so-called “Trump factor” was further highlighted by Sharif, who termed Trump a peacemaker and expressed confidence that he would not let the chance for peace be wasted.
Pakistan is currently the subject of intense international scrutiny due to its terrorist record, which coincides with its diplomatic outreach. It is believed that Islamabad is attempting to regain international support for resuming negotiations with New Delhi by repositioning itself on the international scene. Sharif also cited Pakistan’s readiness to cooperate with foreign inquiries into recent acts of terrorism, saying that this transparency had “won international confidence.”
India’s response, though, has been clear-cut. In its bilateral disputes with Pakistan, including the US, New Delhi has repeatedly rejected any third-party mediation or facilitation. It has insisted that negotiations can only begin once Pakistan stops supporting terrorism and restores seized Kashmiri territory.
Throughout the several Indian governments, this policy has remained constant. Reiterating that communication must be bilateral and dependent on Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, Indian leaders have also openly denied that Trump or any other outside party had any influence over the ceasefire deal.
Political leaders in India have been outspoken in their rejection of Pakistan’s assertions. Leading an all-party delegation to the US, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that India will not hold talks “with a gun pointed at our head,” employing a striking comparison to highlight India’s position that genuine dialogue is impossible as long as terrorism continues.
By pointing out Pakistan’s lengthy history of backing militant organizations that have caused instability in the area, Tharoor and other Indian delegates also contested Pakistan’s claim that it is an equal victim of terrorism.
The majority of US politicians have backed India’s stance; House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast has expressed hope about the US-India partnership’s future growth and endorsed India’s calibrated response to recent attacks.
Even though Pakistan is working hard to get the US—and Donald Trump in particular—to help revive talks with India, New Delhi is adamant that it would not accept mediation from a third party and maintains that any progress will need Pakistan to take decisive measures to put a stop to terrorism. With both sides maintaining their preexisting stances, the diplomatic gap on this matter is still as great as ever.
