India denies Modi asked Trump to mediate Kashmir issue
Trump says Modi requested him to mediate between nuclear-armed neighbours
A file photo of Indian premier Narendra Modi embracing US President Donald Trump. PHOTO: REUTERS
India's foreign ministry on Monday denied US President Donald Trump had been asked by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mediate the Kashmir conflict with Pakistan.
Trump made the claim while speaking from the Oval Office where he hosted Prime Minister Imran Khan.
"We have seen [Donald Trump's] remarks to the press that he is ready to mediate, if requested by India and Pakistan, on Kashmir issue. No such request has been made by Narendra Modi to US President," said India's Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
"It has been India's consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally."
Trump said he could also help mend the strained ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
"I was with 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," Trump said.
The US president met Modi on the sidelines of the the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan last month.
The "prayers of over a billion people will be with you if you can mediate and resolve the situation," PM Imran responded.
New Delhi has demonstrated its belligerence on the Kashmir issue and has been against any third-party mediation.
Islamabad, however, has repeatedly sought this at various international forums, including the United Nations.
India has also refused to initiate dialogue with Pakistan despite repeated appeals from PM Imran.
#Kashmir soon became one of the top trends on social media with Indians denying that Modi would ever made such a request to Trump.
Trump made the claim while speaking from the Oval Office where he hosted Prime Minister Imran Khan.
"We have seen [Donald Trump's] remarks to the press that he is ready to mediate, if requested by India and Pakistan, on Kashmir issue. No such request has been made by Narendra Modi to US President," said India's Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
"It has been India's consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally."
Trump said he could also help mend the strained ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
"I was with 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," Trump said.
The US president met Modi on the sidelines of the the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan last month.
The "prayers of over a billion people will be with you if you can mediate and resolve the situation," PM Imran responded.
New Delhi has demonstrated its belligerence on the Kashmir issue and has been against any third-party mediation.
Islamabad, however, has repeatedly sought this at various international forums, including the United Nations.
India has also refused to initiate dialogue with Pakistan despite repeated appeals from PM Imran.
#Kashmir soon became one of the top trends on social media with Indians denying that Modi would ever made such a request to Trump.