WASHINGTON: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that New Delhi was not in any mood to involve any third party to mediate between Pakistan and India on occupied Kashmir.
Jaishankar, while talking to a group of Indian reporters after landing in Washington, said that India’s stance on the [Kashmir] issue has been clear for decades.
“India remains clear for 40 odd years that we would not accept mediation, and that whatever has to be discussed bilaterally,” said the Indian FM.
The President of the United States (POTUS) Donald Trump had repeatedly said that he was ready to mediate between Pakistan and India over Kashmir issue as he wanted both countries to hold talks and solve the long-standing dispute.
Trump had also repeated his offer during separate meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan and Indian PM Narendra Modi at the sidelines of the 74th United Nations General Assembly.
According to Indian media, Jaishankar had said that India’s decision on the abolition of Article 370 also came up in most meetings he held on the sidelines of the UNGA session.
Responding to a question about Turkey and Malaysia’s stance on Kashmir, the Indian minister claimed that the two countries have been given an understanding which is different from the facts on the ground.
I am always ready to mediate on Kashmir issue: Trump to PM Imran
Trump had earlier said that Kashmir issue was the dispute of India and Pakistan and both countries should sit on the talks table to come up with a solution.
Trump, during a one-on-one meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, said that he wanted both countries [India and Pakistan] to hold resolve all issues through dialogue.
“I would be ready if any of you [Pakistan and India] will ask me to mediate on Kashmir issue. I have always said that I will do whatever I could,” Trump said, adding that he completely trusts Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan that he would play role in holding talks with India’s Narendra Modi on the long-standing dispute.
The POTUS further said that he has close relations with both Pakistan and India and he doesn’t want to lose any of them.
“I want you to know that you [Imran Khan] and Modi are my friends. You know, very good friends. I will be happy if you both will listen to me and sit on a table together,” Trump said while talking to PM Khan.
“Both the countries and their governments should know that the only solution to any issue [including Kashmir dispute] is dialogue. Peace only comes when you are ready to shake hands. You can’t win hearts of each other by making rude faces,” he said.
News Pakistan
