US President Donald Trump made shocking remarks claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked him to mediate in the longstanding Kashmir conflict with Pakistan, which were quickly refuted by India. The Indian foreign ministry tweeted within an hour that "no such request" had been made by the prime minister, adding that all issues with Pakistan were "discussed only bilaterally."
“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 @narendramodi 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,” Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson for the MEA, tweeted.
Trump made the remarks in the presence of visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at the White House ahead of their bilateral meeting. At the White House, Imran Khan, responding to a question on Kashmir, said he will be asking Trump’s support to push for dialogue with India.
“He is… It is the most powerful country in the world, the United States. It can play the most important role in bringing peace in the subcontinent. There are over a billion and a quarter people in the subcontinent. They are held hostage to the issue of Kashmir. And I feel the most powerful state, headed by President Trump, can bring the two countries together. From my point, I can tell you — we have tried our best. We made all overtures to India to start dialogue, resolve our differences through dialogue. But, unfortunately, we haven’t made headway as yet. But, I am hoping that President Trump can push this process,” he said.
Trump then said: “I was with Prime Minister Modi two weeks ago. We talked about this subject, and he actually said would you like to be a mediator or arbitrator? I said: Where? He said: Kashmir. Because this has been going on for many many years. I was surprised at how long it has been going on.”
At this point, Khan said, “70 years”. Trump continued saying “I think they would like to see it resolved. I think you would like to see it resolved. And If I can help, I would love to be a mediator.” “It’s impossible that two incredible countries that are very very smart, with very smart leadership can’t solve a problem like that. But if you want me to mediate or arbitrate, I would be willing to do it,” he said.
Khan then said, “President, I can tell you that right now you will have prayers of over a billion people if you can mediate and resolve this issue.” Trump responded, “It should be resolved. He asked me the same thing. So, I think there is something. So, may be we will speak to him, or I will speak to him and we will see if we can do something… because I have heard so much about Kashmir. Such a beautiful name. It’s supposed to be such a beautiful part of the world. But right now, there are just bombs all over the place. Everywhere you go, you have bombs and it’s a terrible situation and has been going on for many years. If I can do anything to help, let me know.”
This is the first time Trump has claimed that Modi asked him to mediate on Kashmir. The two leaders met in Osaka on the sidelines of the G-20 summit on June 27.
Jaishankar clarifies India's stand
The statement by the US President created a political storm in the Parliament session descending Rajya Sabha in chaos. The opposition protested and demanded a clarification from the government and raised slogans of 'Pradhanmantri jawab do'. To which the External Affairs Minister S Jaishanakar reiterated India's stand that Kashmir is a bilateral issue and categorically assured the House that PM Modi has made no request to US President to mediate in the Kashmir issue.
"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," Jaishankar said.
Opposition parties were, however, not satisfied by the statement of the External Affairs Minister and wanted the Prime Minister to come to the House and clarify. This led to a heated exchange between opposition benches and the Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu who commented on the row, saying, "It is a national issue. Country's unity, integrity & national interest is involved, we should be seen speaking in one voice."
He accused the opposition of sending a wrong signal by prioritising Trump's statement over that of the external affairs minister. "You have more confidence in US President than Indian Foreign Minister? This is sending out the wrong signal. This is not in the national interest," Naidu said.
Congress MP Anand Sharma said, "The entire country was shocked to hear Trump tell Imran Khan that PM Modi requested him at G20 to mediate in Kashmir. India speaks in one voice. Head of state of a powerful country's statement about the head of another country conveying something has serious consequences. The Shimla Accord is clear. I submit to you that PM must respect the house and come and tell Parliament."
Damage control by the US
In a bid to contain the damage created by Trump’s off-the-cuff stepping into Kashmir's quagmire, the state administration mandarins and American foreign policy interlocutors clarified that the Trump administration welcomes India and Pakistan sitting down to resolve the issue and the “US stands ready to assist”.
Alice Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, acknowledged that Kashmir is a bilateral issue for both parties to discuss - echoing India’s consistent stand on the subject. “While Kashmir is a bilateral issue for both parties to discuss, the Trump administration welcomes #Pakistan and #India sitting down and the United States stands ready to assist,” Wells tweeted.
Imran 'Surprised' by India’s reaction
Imran Khan said he was surprised by the reaction of India to Trump's offer of mediation to bring Pakistan and India to the dialogue table for resolving Kashmir conflict. “ 3. Surprised by reaction of India to Pres Trump's offer of mediation to bring Pak & India to dialogue table for resolving Kashmir conflict which has held subcontinent hostage for 70 yrs. Generations of Kashmiris have suffered & are suffering daily and need conflict resolution.” Imran tweeted.
