India rejects US offer to mediate with Pakistan

Wednesday 05th April 2017 06:34 EDT
 

In an apparent snub to the United States, India on Tuesday maintained that its position regarding the bilateral redressal of all issues with Pakistan remains unchanged. The Indian govt believes that all disputes with Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally and without third party mediation, the External Affairs Ministry said in response to a US suggestion that President Donald Trump could play a role in de-escalating tension between India and Pakistan.

"The government's position for bilateral redressal of all India-Pakistan issues in an environment free of terror and violence hasn't changed. We of course expect the international community and organisations to enforce international mechanisms and mandates concerning terrorism emanating from Pakistan, which continues to be the single biggest threat to peace and stability in our region and beyond," MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

The reaction from the MEA came after US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that US would "try and find its place in efforts to de-escalate India-Pak tensions and not wait till something happens."

The US is concerned about the state of India-Pakistan relations and President Donald Trump himself may get involved in a peace process between the two South Asian antagonists, Nikki Haley, the US Permanent Representative to the UN, said on Monday. India has so far opposed any external involvement in bilateral issues with Pakistan.

Attacking Islamabad for its support to terror, India said, "the terrorism emanating from Pakistan continues to be single biggest threat to peace in our region and beyond."

"We of course expect international community and organisations to enforce international mechanisms and mandates concerning terrorism emanating from Pakistan, which continues to be the single biggest threat to peace and stability in our region and beyond," the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said.


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