Trump Calls India’s Strikes on Pakistan ‘A Shame,’ Offers to Help End Conflict Quickly

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday described India’s missile strikes against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir as “a shame,” telling reporters at the White House that he had only just been briefed on the operation moments before entering the Oval Office. Trump noted that India and Pakistan “have been fighting for many decades, centuries actually,” and said he hoped the latest escalation “ends very quickly.” Emphasising that Washington maintains good relations with both countries, he urged the two nuclear-armed neighbours to resolve their differences and avoid further conflict. New Delhi has said the cross-border action, dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” hit at least nine sites it identified as militant bases. Islamabad has vowed retaliation, fuelling concerns of a broader confrontation between the rivals. Offering to mediate, Trump said, “If I can do anything to help, I will be there,” and called on both sides to halt the tit-for-tat exchanges. His remarks signal a largely hands-off U.S. posture while underscoring the need for rapid de-escalation.