India Stunned as Trump Claims Credit for Kashmir Mediation, India Silent in Response

New Delhi, May 20 - In a shocking turn of events, US President Donald Trump recently announced that his mediation efforts led to the de facto truce between India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir. This claim has left many questioning the true nature of this agreement and the Indian government's response.

During a public address in America, Trump claimed that the "Kashmir dispute" is a "thousand years old" problem, blurring the lines of historical accuracy. He also declared that he had mediated a truce between India and Pakistan, which both countries have termed a "ceasefire," while India has called it an interregnum to its ongoing military operation, Operation Sindoor.

In a stunning move, Trump asserted that he will ensure the settlement of the Kashmir dispute, even if it takes "a thousand years." However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi avoided commenting on these claims in his address to the nation earlier this month.

Contrary to expectations, Modi has not addressed or refuted Trump's talking points, allowing him to hyphenate India and Pakistan once again while remaining characteristically silent on Pakistan's role in harboring terror.

Critics are left wondering if Modi is avoiding a confrontation with Trump out of respect for the US leader or if he genuinely accepts Trump's narrative. If it's the former, Modi's silence will be attributed to his nationalism, but if it's the latter, questions abound about India's stance on this disputed issue.

Some key questions that remain unanswered include: Has India amended its policy on addressing bilateral talks with Pakistan without parliamentary knowledge? Does Modi acknowledge a "Kashmir dispute"? And why has he remained silent in response to Trump's claims?

The opposition and citizens at large are demanding clarity from the Indian Prime Minister, particularly given that they represent over 60% of the country's popular franchise. As Pope Leo XIV emphasized in a recent statement, free speech is essential for democracy and truth. What seems more poignant now is how India's political leaders must adhere to this principle.

This article was originally published on The India Cable – a premium newsletter from The Wire & Galileo Ideas – and has been updated and republished here. To subscribe to The India Cable, click here.