India turns down Trump’s mediation offer to Kashmir dispute

MUMBAI (92 News) – External Affairs Minister for India Dr S Jaishankar on Friday turned down the US President Donald Trump’s offer for mediation in Kashmir dispute. Responding to the US president offer, the Indian external minister took his twitter and said that any discussion on the matter related to Kashmir issue will only be held with Pakistan. He clarified that he has already conveyed to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in clear terms that talks on Kashmir conflict will only be bilateral with Pakistan. “Have conveyed to American counterpart @SecPompeo this morning in clear terms that any discussion on Kashmir, if at all warranted, will only be with Pakistan and only bilaterally,” S Jaishankar tweeted.

Have conveyed to American counterpart @SecPompeo this morning in clear terms that any discussion on Kashmir, if at all warranted, will only be with Pakistan and only bilaterally.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 2, 2019

On the other hand, Indian government has also decided to deploy 25,000 more army soldiers in the Indian-held Jammu Kashmir to suppress the campaign of Kashmiris’ independence. Earlier, terming Prime Minister Imran Khan as fantastic man, US President Donald Trump once again offered for mediation between Pakistan and India on the Kashmir issue. Briefing the journalists on Imran Khan’s visit to Washington, a senior State Department official reiterated the US offer to help India and Pakistan resolve the 70-year old dispute, if asked by both. “Obviously it’s in everyone’s interest to see an improvement in relations between India and Pakistan. And the US president’s offer was made in recognition of that fact,” the official said. He clarified that Trump was ready to assist if the two countries wanted him to. “It’s really up to Prime Minister Modi to accept the offer,” he said in response to a question about India’s not accepting his initial offer. US president initially offer to mediate Kashmir dispute during a recent meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan in Washington. Pakistan welcomed the offer but India has rejected it. India’s external affairs ministry also denied that he ever made the offer.