Washington/New Delhi (September 26, 2025):
US-Pakistan Relations have taken a dramatic turn after a senior US State Department official clarified that America will not mediate in the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, declaring it a bilateral issue. The statement has sent a strong jolt to Islamabad, especially to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir, who were expecting Washington to soften its stance during their latest visit.
For decades, Pakistan has attempted to internationalize the Kashmir issue, using platforms like the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to build pressure on India. But the latest US statement echoes New Delhi’s long-standing position: Kashmir is strictly a matter to be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan, without third-party intervention.
Trump’s “America First” Policy and Its Impact
President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January 2025, has reinforced his “America First” foreign policy, drawing sharp distinctions in the way Washington views India and Pakistan.
“India is a key partner in our Indo-Pacific strategy and economic framework, while our relations with Pakistan have historically centered around counterterrorism and security,” the US official said. Financial aid and military cooperation to Pakistan have already seen major cuts in recent years, while Washington continues to strengthen defense and trade ties with New Delhi.
This signals that the strategic balance in US-Pakistan Relations now leans heavily in India’s favor, particularly as Washington seeks to counter China’s influence in Asia.
Trump’s Claim on Ceasefire Mediation Sparks Debate
During his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Trump boasted that he had played a key role in stopping tensions between India and Pakistan earlier this year. Referring to India’s Operation Vermilion launched on May 7, Trump claimed that his administration intervened to bring about a ceasefire on May 10.
However, New Delhi categorically rejected these assertions, maintaining its consistent stand that no external mediation is required in talks with Pakistan. Indian officials reiterated that all issues, including Kashmir and cross-border terrorism, can only be resolved through direct bilateral dialogue.
India’s Firm Stand Against Third-Party Involvement
India’s opposition to third-party mediation is rooted in its belief that foreign involvement would only complicate the conflict further. Successive governments in New Delhi have firmly held this stance, refusing mediation not only from the US but also from countries like China, the UK, and even the UN.
By supporting India’s line, the Trump administration has effectively undercut Pakistan’s decades-old diplomatic strategy of internationalizing Kashmir.
Pakistan’s Growing Diplomatic Isolation
For Islamabad, this development represents a serious diplomatic setback. The Kashmir issue has long been central to Pakistan’s foreign policy, but global responses have grown increasingly indifferent to its appeals.
Despite repeatedly raising Kashmir at international forums, Pakistan has failed to gain meaningful support from major powers. In contrast, India’s rising global influence, economic partnerships, and active diplomacy have further isolated Pakistan, leaving its leadership scrambling for relevance.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s latest visit to Washington, accompanied by General Munir, was seen as a high-stakes attempt to reassert Pakistan’s importance. Instead, the duo returned home with little to show, apart from what analysts are calling a “440-volt diplomatic shock.”
The Road Ahead in US-Pakistan Relations
Experts believe that US-Pakistan Relations are unlikely to improve significantly under Trump’s current policy framework. With Washington prioritizing strategic and economic cooperation with India, Pakistan’s reliance on US support for Kashmir is becoming increasingly untenable.
Analysts argue that Islamabad must rethink its foreign policy priorities, focusing on domestic reforms and regional stability rather than over-relying on international mediation.
For now, the message from Washington is clear: America will not be stuck between India and Pakistan.
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