US President Donald Trump has once again sparked controversy with his remarks on international affairs, claiming that India and Pakistan have been fighting over Kashmir for “1,000 years” and have shared a “tense border for 1,500 years.” His statements, made amid rising tensions after the Pahalgam terror attacks, drew immediate outrage and ridicule across social media.
Trump's Comments Amid Heightened Tensions
Speaking to reporters before departing for the Vatican to attend Pope Francis's funeral mass, Trump said, "I am very close to India and I'm very close to Pakistan, and they've had that fight for a thousand years in Kashmir."
He further added, "Kashmir has been going on for a thousand years, probably longer than that. There have been tensions on that border for 1,500 years. It's been the same, but I am sure they'll figure it out one way or the other. I know both leaders. There's great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been."
Trump expressed confidence that India and Pakistan would eventually find a solution despite the ongoing tensions. However, his comments — historically inaccurate by a wide margin — immediately ignited backlash online.
Internet Reacts: Outrage and Jokes Flood Social Media
Soon after his remarks went viral, users on X (formerly Twitter) blasted Trump for what they perceived as yet another diplomatic blunder.
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"He's so embarrassing," one user wrote bluntly.
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Another joked sarcastically, "No one knows more about the Kashmir conflict than Donald Trump."
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A third commented, "Tribal wars have existed as early as the 8th century. Different territory names over time but the same dirt. Nice try."
The broad consensus online was that Trump's understanding of the India-Pakistan conflict — especially the Kashmir issue — was historically inaccurate. Many pointed out that Pakistan as a nation-state was only created in 1947, making the notion of a 1,000-year fight impossible.
Background: Trump and the Kashmir Mediation Controversy
This is not the first time Trump’s comments on India-Pakistan relations have sparked controversy. During his first term in office, Trump offered to mediate between the two countries over Kashmir — a suggestion that was quickly and firmly rejected by India. He even claimed at the time that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had requested US mediation, a claim India's government flatly denied.
Given the sensitivity of the Kashmir issue and the long history of conflict, involving wars and ongoing diplomatic tensions, Trump's loose characterization of the situation adds fuel to an already complex geopolitical fire.
A Diplomatic Misstep at a Critical Moment
Trump’s remarks come at a particularly sensitive time following deadly terror attacks in Pahalgam, which have significantly worsened tensions between India and Pakistan. His comments, intended perhaps as a gesture of neutrality and hope, instead exposed a fundamental misunderstanding of South Asian history — at least in the eyes of many observers.
In global diplomacy, precision matters — particularly when dealing with sensitive historical disputes. As Trump's latest remarks show, casual inaccuracies can quickly erode credibility and trust.
Conclusion: History Matters, Especially on the World Stage
The internet’s swift and savage reaction to Trump's "1,000 years" comment serves as a reminder: when it comes to diplomacy, especially in a region as complex and historically rich as South Asia, words must be chosen carefully.
For now, India's and Pakistan’s futures remain uncertain — but one thing is clear: historical facts will not be rewritten by offhand remarks, no matter how powerful the speaker.