US President Donald Trump expressed his desire to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also asked for his help on the northern most state, the Ministry of External affairs has rejected the claims saying that “no such request has been made”.
“We have seen POTUS’s remarks to the press that he is ready to mediate, if requested by India & Pakistan, on Kashmir issue. No such request has been made by PM Narendra Modi to US President” Raveesh Kumar, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs tweeted.
He added, “It has been India’s consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally. Any engagement with Pakistan would require an end to cross border terrorism.”
President Donald Trump, after meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had said, “I think they (Indians) would like to see it (Kashmir issue) resolved. I think you (Khan) would like to see it resolved. And if I can help, I would love to be a mediator. It should be….we have two incredible countries that are very, very smart with very smart leadership, (and they) can’t solve a problem like that. But if you would want me to mediate or arbitrate, I would be willing to do that.
We have a very good relationship with India. I know that your relationship (with India) is strained a little bit, maybe a lot. But we will be talking about India… (it’s) a big part of our conversation today and I think maybe we can help intercede and do whatever we have to do.”
Imran Khan, sitting by Trump in the Oval Office, said that Pakistan would welcomed such a move by the US.
India has not been engaging with Pakistan since an attack on the Air Force base at Pathankot in January of 2016 by Pakistan-based militants, maintaining that talks and terror cannot go together.
Interestingly, White House Press statement on Trump’s meet with Khan had no mention of Kashmir.(IANS)
