Kashmiri-Americans Rally at White House, Thank President Trump for Mediation Offer on Kashmir
WASHINGTON, June 2—In driving rain, dozens of Kashmiri-Americans and supporters—including representatives of every major Pakistani party—staged a rally outside the White House to thank President Donald Trump for offering to mediate the 78-year Kashmir dispute between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan.
Holding banners that read “Thank You, President Trump,” demonstrators praised the U.S. leader for helping broker last week’s India-Pakistan cease-fire and for pledging to facilitate talks aimed at a UN-supervised plebiscite in the disputed region.
Speakers Urge Swift Diplomatic Action
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Sardar Zarif Khan, adviser to the president of Azad Kashmir and chief organizer, lauded participants’ resolve despite the weather, but warned that “voices of malevolence” remain and noted India’s ongoing acquisition of fifth-generation weaponry.
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Dr. Ghulam N. Mir, president of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum, said 77 years of conflict have repeatedly pushed South Asia to the brink of nuclear war.
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Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, chairman of the World Forum for Peace & Justice, called Trump’s mediation offer “forthright and principled,” arguing that regional peace would free India from costly troop deployments in Kashmir.
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Dr. Imtiaz Khan, speaking for the Kashmiri- and Pakistani-American communities, credited President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio with averting an “unparalleled human catastrophe” by facilitating the recent cease-fire.
UN Resolutions Cited
Speakers repeatedly invoked UN Security Council resolutions calling for a plebiscite to determine Kashmir’s future, insisting that lasting peace hinges on giving Kashmiris the right of self-determination.
Broader Context
The rare public show of unity among Pakistani political factions highlights growing diaspora pressure for a negotiated settlement. Analysts note that while the cease-fire has lowered immediate tensions, sustained diplomatic engagement—potentially under U.S. mediation—remains essential to prevent another escalation.
The rally concluded with calls for continued U.S. involvement until a durable, UN-backed solution is reached.
