UNGA 2026: Shehbaz Sharif Revives Kashmir Issue, Credits Trump for ‘Timely Intervention’ in 2025 Conflict

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly on September 25 to revive Islamabad’s position on Kashmir and revisit the 2025 India-Pakistan military confrontation. He also credited US President Donald Trump with what he described as a “timely intervention” that helped prevent the conflict from escalating further.

Sharif said a “just and fair solution” to the Kashmir issue was necessary to prevent South Asia from returning to the brink of conflict witnessed in 2025. His remarks placed Kashmir alongside regional security and bilateral tensions as a central element of Pakistan’s diplomatic messaging at the UN.

The Pakistan PM also praised Trump’s leadership, saying the US President’s intervention had helped save hundreds of millions of lives in South Asia. This account, however remains contested. India has maintained that the May 2025 cessation of hostilities was not the result of third-party mediation, making the question of external intervention a significant point of disagreement between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Sharif additionally raised concerns over the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s share of Indus waters would be treated by Islamabad as an “act of war.” India has held the treaty in abeyance since April 23, 2025, following the Pahalgam terrorist attack and has linked its position to concerns over cross-border terrorism.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply at the UN, rejecting Pakistan’s assertions on Kashmir and reiterating its position on Jammu and Kashmir. The exchange highlighted continuing differences over territorial, security and water-related issues between the two countries.