WASHINGTON: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has offered to arbitrate and settle the issues between Pakistan and India.

“Well, I would love to see Pakistan and India get along, because that’s a very, very hot tinderbox. That would be a very great thing. I hope they can do it,” Trump said, adding that he would only mediate if both countries asked the United States to get involved, like the Obama administration said before coming in power.

“If it was necessary I would do that. If we could get India and Pakistan getting along, I would be honoured to do that,” he added.

Trump also referred to “the recent problem” in the Indian-occupied Kashmir where Indian forces have killed more than 100 demonstrators since July and a terrorist attack in Uri brought the arch-rivals close to yet another armed conflict.

He said reducing tensions between South Asia’s two nuclear-armed nations would “be a tremendous achievement” and “if they wanted me to, I would love to be the mediator or arbitrator”.

Earlier this weekend, in a meeting with the Indian community in New Jersey, the Republican candidate promised that if voted to power, he would ensure US and India become “the best of friends” and enjoy a “phenomenal future” together.

“There isn’t going to be any relationship more important to us,” he added.