US President Donald Trump commenting on tensions between India and Pakistan, following a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) earlier this week, exaggerated the historical origins of Kashmir valley, claiming the South Asian neighbours have been fighting over the disputed region for “1,500 years.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Rome, Trump said on Friday “They’ve had that fight for a thousand years in Kashmir. It’s been going on for 1,500 years, probably longer than that,” he said.
India and Pakistan will figure out relations between themselves, said Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One, as he cited historical conflict in the disputed border region and said he knew both countries’ leaders, but did not answer when asked whether he would contact them.
Meanhile in a briefing on Thursday, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce had also touched on the crisis brewing in South Asia.
“It’s a rapidly changing situation and we are monitoring it closely We are not now taking a position on the status of Kashmir or Jammu,” she said, adding that this was all she had to say on the subject.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres had also urged Pakistan and India to show “maximum restraint”.
