India snubs Trump’s fresh offer on Kashmir

WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI: India on Friday rejected US President Donald Trump’s fresh offer to mediate on the protracted Kashmir issue, saying any discussion on the disputed Himalayan region would be between India and Pakistan only.

Indian response came after President Trump reiterated his offer on Kashmir and said he was willing to intervene but a decision would be up to the leaders of both the countries.

This was the second time Trump showed interest in becoming an arbitrator in the Kashmir issue. Earlier, he had said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently asked him whether he would like to be a mediator or arbitrator on Kashmir while speaking to reporters alongside Prime Minister Imran Khan at White House. However, India was quick to bin Trump’s claims despite the US’ assertion.

Trump, when questioned on Thursday by a reporter regarding India’s rejection of third-party mediation, asked: “Have they accepted the offer or not?” When told no, he said: “It is really up to Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi.”

“I met Prime Minister [Imran] Khan, I got along great with [the premier]. I think they are fantastic people — Khan and Modi — I mean, I would imagine they could get along very well,” he added.

“But if they wanted somebody to intervene, to help them […] and I spoke with Pakistan about that and I spoke frankly in India about it […] that battle has been going on for a long time.”

“If I can, if they wanted me to, I would certainly intervene,” Trump said.