Modi never sought help from Trump over Kashmir, says Jaishankar; Cong wants PM's clarification

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, the lower house of the parliament, Jaishankar said: "It should be clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn't seek help from Donald Trump over the Kashmir issue. We will discuss the issue with Pakistan only bilaterally. Talks can only take place if the cross-border terrorism ends."

What did Trump say?

Earlier reports said US President Donald Trump has offered to help resolve the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan during his meeting with Pakistan President Imran Khan in Washington.

Hosting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at the White House on Monday, Trump said: “If I can help, I would love to be a mediator.” “If I can do anything to help, let me know,” he added, according to reports.

"I was with Prime Minister 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," President Trump said at the joint media briefing with Imran Khan.

The US has held for long that the Kashmir issue should be sorted by India and Pakistan bilaterally.

India rejects Trump's claim

In response to query on President Trump’s remarks, India's Ministry of External Affairs' official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “We have seen President Trump's remarks to the press that he is ready to mediate, if requested by India and Pakistan, on the Kashmir issue. No such request  has been made by Prime Minister to the 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 and the Lahore Declaration provide the basis to resolve all issues between India and Pakistan bilaterally,” Kumar said.

Congress wants PM to clarify in Parliament

Congress, the main opposition party in the country, has demanded a clarification from Prime Minister Modi in the parliament over the issue. "The country has strictly adhered to the SHimla Accord and Lahore Declaration throughout. But when the head of the most powerful country has made such a statement, then it has serious consequences. So the Prime Minister must be present in the House to clarify," Congress Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma said.

However, Congress Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor said he believes Modi in the entire controversy. "I had tweeted that the MEA must clarify and they did. I don't think Prime Minister Modi sought any help from Donald Trump. The US President has lack of knowledge may be which has resulted in such a statement."--

Image Credit: S Jaishankar Twitter