Washington: Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has called on the international community to address the Kashmir dispute, which he describes as the “core issue” underlying the recent breakdown in relations with India following the Pahalgam attack.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Sheikh emphasized the importance of resolving the Kashmir issue, suggesting that it could become a significant part of President Donald Trump’s legacy. “It could be an important part of President Trump’s legacy to attend to this situation – not with a Band-Aid solution, but by addressing the core issue: the Kashmir dispute,” Sheikh stated. He further highlighted the potential for escalation, noting that “this is one nuclear flashpoint.”

Sheikh’s remarks align with his earlier appeal for Trump to intervene and mitigate the rising tensions with India. He pointed out that given Trump’s declared objective of promoting global peace, addressing the Kashmir issue could be a significant step. Trump, during his inaugural speech, had mentioned his aspiration to be remembered as a “peacemaker and unifier.”

The ambassador also urged global nations to work towards a lasting settlement of the Kashmir conflict. “Previously, when the situation has been at this level or the tensions have escalated, the international community has attended to the situation, but taken their eyes [and] attention away, even before the situation could fully defuse,” Sheikh said.

He cautioned against temporary solutions, suggesting that current global tensions might necessitate a more comprehensive approach. “This time, perhaps it would be […] timely in terms of the situation elsewhere on the globe, with similar instances, […] to perhaps not afford a Band-Aid solution, but to address the broader problem,” Sheikh remarked.

The ambassador warned of the potential consequences of misadventures or miscalculations in the region, emphasizing the risk of a nuclear confrontation. “Any misadventure or miscalculation can lead to a nuclear interface,” he said, underscoring the undesirability of such an outcome in a densely populated area.

Sheikh also criticized India’s response to the Pahalgam attack, describing it as dangerously premature and inflammatory, according to the report.