President Donald Trump shocked the world with his mediation offer between Pakistan and India on the Kashmir issue. Not surprisingly though, the proposal was promptly denied by New Delhi leaving the US administration fuming and into damage control mode.
In its clarification, the US State Department said that the dispute of Kashmir between India and Pakistan was a bilateral issue and the US ‘welcomes’ both the countries sitting down for talks. Nevertheless, the statement also said that sustained and irreversible steps taken by Pakistan to curb terrorism will play a key role in ensuring the success of the bilateral talks between the two nations.
Does Trump’s Remark Reflect Change In Policy From US?
The US State Department spokesperson said, “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.” Many analysts believe that the statement is an indication of the change in the policy of the US towards the Kashmir issue.
After India’s firm denial about requesting Trump to mediate between Pakistan and India, this comment from the State Department of the US has a lot of significance. Incidentally, Trump also said that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked Trump to mediate. This claim was also denied by the Indian authorities.
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…1/2
— Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) July 22, 2019
…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.2/2
— Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) July 22, 2019
Trump made these controversial remarks at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan at the White House recently. Trump told the reporters, “If I can help, I would love to be a mediator.”
The US president added further, “I was with Prime Minister Narendra Modi two weeks ago and 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 think they would like to see it resolved and you (Imran Khan) would like to see it resolved. If I can help, I would love to be a mediator.”
In this quote, Trump was referring to his meeting in Japan’s Osaka with Modi during the G20 event.
Pak PM Is Quick With His Acceptance
On one side India is denying having made any such request whereas the PM of its neighboring country was very quick in accepting this assistance from the US president. Imran Khan said, “Prayers of over a billion people will be with you if you can mediate and resolve the situation.” The Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar was quick to deny these claims by Trump.
We can make out how much awareness Trump has on the issue. This says it all, should put an end to the discussion #TrumpKashmirLie pic.twitter.com/Q34sm6HwfM
— Hanumant singh (@Hanumantsingh) July 23, 2019
World’s most powerful leader must be so embarrassed by now. World’s biggest democracy just exposed his lie and asked him to mind his own business @MEAIndia#TrumpKashmirLie #KashmirIssue
— Corona Warrior Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) July 23, 2019
I was damn shocked when heard about @POTUS dialogue over Kashmir issue, but then I realized Oooh #TrumpKashmirLie might be bargaining because 28 goods taxes overtook his trade policy…
Btw here's the proof… pic.twitter.com/WMCTmO0zgr
— Satya Prakash arya (@Satya26052014) July 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/AtheistKrishnaa/status/1153551343438532608
#TrumpKashmirLie #Trump got no Chill ??♂️ pic.twitter.com/iZigmTQHC1
— ? ∱∪ℕκγβαβα ? (@nillkool9) July 23, 2019
What's Common between Trump and Congress??
Both can lie and scoop to any low level.. #TrumpKashmirLie pic.twitter.com/vM6vDEzM50
— Warrior Princess? मइलो मेघा (@MyloMegha) July 23, 2019
