*New Delhi, May 11:*
The Indian National Congress has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's recent announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, calling it an attempt to internationalize the Kashmir issue.
Congress MP Manish Tewari expressed concern over Trump’s statement, saying that Kashmir is not an ancient or unsolvable conflict. “Someone in the U.S. establishment needs to educate their President that Kashmir is not a 1,000-year-old issue. It began on October 22, 1947,” he said.
Another Congress leader, Sachin Pilot, questioned the Indian government’s silence on the matter. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clearly state India’s position. He also suggested that a special session of Parliament should be held to reaffirm the 1994 resolution, which says that the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, including the area under Pakistan's control, is an integral part of India.
The Congress party said that involving any third party in the Kashmir issue goes against India’s long-standing policy. The party added that such statements from international leaders should be addressed strongly by the Indian government.
President Trump had announced a "full and immediate" ceasefire between India and Pakistan. However, Indian officials later said the ceasefire understanding had been reached bilaterally, without any external mediation.
The Congress warned that any move to bring global attention to Kashmir may harm India’s interests and weaken its position on the global stage.
