Shabbir Shah Warns of Nuclear Catastrophe, Urges Global Mediation for Kashmir Resolution

From behind the bars of Tihar Jail, Kashmiri leader Shabbir Shah has warned the world that ignoring the Kashmir dispute risks triggering a nuclear war between India and Pakistan.

Shabbir Ahmed Shah, the illegally detained Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party and a senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader, has issued a stark warning to the international community: the Kashmir dispute must be resolved urgently to avert the possibility of a nuclear catastrophe in South Asia.

In a message from New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, Shah pointed to the recent limited conflict between India and Pakistan, which underscored the ever-present threat of a full-scale nuclear confrontation. With both countries possessing nuclear arsenals, the potential for escalation remains dangerously high.

Shah expressed appreciation for world leaders, especially US President Donald Trump, for their efforts in de-escalating the latest crisis. He praised Pakistan’s political and military leadership for showing maximum restraint, which he said was crucial in preventing a broader war that could have endangered regional and global peace.

Welcoming President Trump’s offer to mediate in the Kashmir dispute, Shah emphasized the failure of past bilateral talks between India and Pakistan. He argued that these talks have largely resulted in diplomatic deadlocks, making third-party mediation an essential next step. “Kashmiri leaders across the board have consistently highlighted the need for neutral intervention,” he said, adding that bilateralism alone cannot resolve such a protracted and complex conflict.

Shah described the Kashmir issue as a “sword of Damocles” hanging over both nations for over seven decades. Despite numerous attempts at diplomacy, the situation has only worsened. He criticized India for sabotaging peaceful efforts, accusing it of employing diversionary tactics and double standards to avoid meaningful resolution.

“At the international level, New Delhi brands Kashmir a bilateral issue to avoid external involvement, but during talks with Pakistan, it calls it an internal matter,” Shah said. This approach, he added, has blocked every serious attempt at a peaceful solution.

Shah strongly advocated for the initiation of a formal mediation process involving a neutral third party, insisting it remains the only viable path to a lasting settlement. However, he cautioned that any resolution must include the voices of the Kashmiri people, who are the primary stakeholders in the conflict.

“Their participation is vital to ensure that their rights, aspirations, and interests are fully represented,” Shah stressed. He reiterated that resolving the Kashmir dispute is not only essential for peace between India and Pakistan, but also critical for stability in the entire South Asian region.