Well yes the disputes over Kashmir are a bilateral issue and its resolution is to be remediated by the two parties involved, not outside powers. Which as I have pointed out recently is exactly what the Trump administration has been saying these last few weeks. Do we need to go back and repost Trumps remarks regarding the conflict prior to this last weekend.
So we heard the concerns of lack of US power projection and involvement in mediating this flair up for the last month.
Now over the weekend the US did involve itself to (encourage, negotiate, facilitate) choose one, a ceasefire to stop further escalation.
So are we going to further attack Trumps use of soft power as a complete failure. Whether it is or not I suppose remains to be seen. Maybe the US should have sent troops and planes to Kashmir and knock heads to make India and Pakistan behave. Or maybe we should have bribed Pakistani generals with promises of more “aid/bribes” to back off.
A ceasefire was facilitated with US help this weekend, nothing more. Yes third parties across the world are exaggerating its importance and lack of.
It’s a classic damned if you do damned if you don’t.
What does stand out during the course of this conflict is India and Modi were given the room to project a new and radically different foreign policy position regarding Indian/Pakistani boarder and terrorist activities inflicted against India and Indians.
Terrorist acts will be seen as state attacks from now on. India will respond to the state propagating those acts of aggression. Which I would add it now seems to be quite significant. Well done India.
So in the US’s hands off approach to India. The second most populous nation and a nuclear power. The fourth largest economy and fourth largest military has been allowed to act like the power that they are. And they did so in a forceful yet measured way. While most were asking what is India going to do, when will they act again.
They acted with the cessation of water treaties and flow of thr Indus Valley runoff.
They acted with damaging attacks on Pakistani military bases. And the used forbearance in not responding to every minor incursion or drone attack into India. They simply downed those drones and ballistic rockets for the most part.
Personally and yes I’m biased. Biased for the Trump admin. Biased towards Indias capabilities and importance. And biased towards Trumps willingness to allow India to handle its boarder conflicts with Pakistan with their own power projection, judgment and national interest at the forefront.
When the conflict seemed to be escalating beyond control we did address the danger and simply negotiated, or “asked” more honestly stated, for a pause and a reconsideration of the direction thing we’re going. That truly is all that was done, but it was done and it was received with some level of credibility by both parties it would appear.
Heavy Fighting could break out tomorrow, tonight for us in the western hemisphere. In the end it’s up to Pakistan and India to resolve. And I believe Modi is on the right track, as I also believe Trump is on the right track with our own soft power projection.
a step back with a little help from the US and Saudi’s
India’s missile strikes on Pakistan after the Pahalgam killings triggered a brief but sharp exchange. But it was the US—and not India’s global clout—
frontline.thehindu.com
What actually occurred and need for continued bilateral negotiations
India News: The US welcomed the India-Pakistan ceasefire, praising both nations for choosing diplomacy. President Trump and secretary Rubio urged continued commun
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India does not need a middle man
US President Donald Trump has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. But India promptly rejected the proposal, asserting that there is ’nothing else to talk about’ except the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Why does New Delhi remain adamant against third-party involvement?
www.firstpost.com
The Modi doctrine
PM Narendra Modi unveiled India's anti-terror doctrine, saying the path to peace is paved through strength. If the India of yore was known for Gandhiji's non-violent struggle and Nehru's Non-Aligned Movement, Modi's India will have zero tolerance for terror, and will hit at the roots of terror...
www.indiatoday.in