July 23, 2019
In what is being regarded as a ‘diplomatic coup’ by Pakistan, US President Trump, during his brief press talk with PM Imran Khan at the White House, did not only bring Kashmir under discussion, but also revealed that Indian PM Modi had asked him to ‘mediate on the issue’.
Watch below what President Trump had to say after being asked about Kashmir.
Many on the social media believed that Trump’s statement created a tricky situation not only for the Indian diplomats but also for BJP government officials.
Indian Journalist Suhasini Haider believed that Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the BJP government had a catch 22 (situation)… Either accept the PM (Modi) asked for 3rd party mediation on Kashmir, or call out Trump as a liar.
On the other hand, Nidhi Razdhan also believed that it was a very awkward situation for the Indian Govt. “Either admit the PM asked for third party mediation on Kashmir or call Donald Trump a liar”, wrote Razdhan.
Not surprisingly, the Indian MEA instantly refuted Trump’s claim of PM Modi asking for mediation. Raveesh Kumar, Official Spokesperson to the Ministry of External Affairs, India, in his twitter statement wrote: “we have seen @POTUS’s (President Trump) 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 Modi to US President. 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. The Shimla Agreement & the Lahore Declaration provide the basis to resolve all issues between India & Pakistan bilaterally”.
PM Imran Khan’s US visit is creating headlines all over the world, first with his historic convention at the Capital One Arena and later during his candid meeting with the US President and the First Lady.
The White House also released a brief video on PM Khan’s White House visit.
