Washington, August 21, 2019 (PPI-OT): US President Donald Trump while repeating his offer for mediation on the explosive situation in Kashmir has said that he would raise the matter over the weekend with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
President Trump and Prime Minister Modi are expected in France for a summit of the Group of Seven (G7). “I will do the best I can to mediate,” he said while talking to reporters in the White House. “…you have two counties that haven’t gotten along well for a long time and frankly, it’s a very explosive situation,” he added.
Speaking a day after phone calls with both Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and Indian premier, Narendra Modi, Trump said, “Kashmir is a very complicated place. You have Hindus and you have the Muslims and I wouldn’t say they get along so great.”
“I think we’re helping the situation. But there’s tremendous problems between those two countries, as you know. And I will do the best I can to mediate or do something,” Mr Trump said. “Great relationship with both of them, but they are not exactly friends at this moment. Complicated situation. A lot has to do with religion. Religion is a complicated subject,” the US President said.
Meanwhile, Delhi-based newspaper The Hindu citing a senior State Department official admitted that the abrogation of Article 370 by India has external ramifications. “We continue to be very concerned by reports of detentions and the continued restrictions on the residents of the region. We urge respect for individual rights, compliance with legal procedures and an inclusive dialogue with those affected,” the official said with regard to recent changes made by India in Jammu and Kashmir since August 5, when Article 370 was abrogated and Jammu and Kashmir bifurcated into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladak.
In response to a question on whether U.S. President Donald Trump’s phone conversations with Prime Minister Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan constituted mediation, the official said, “The President has offered to mediate if asked by both parties. He’s not been asked by both parties to mediate.”
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