India says Modi made 'no such request' to Trump to mediate Kashmir issue
India's MEA says Modi made 'no such request' to Trump to mediate Kashmir issue, maintains issues with Pakistan to be 'discussed only bilaterally'
July 23, 2019
India's foreign ministry said late Monday it was aware of US President Donald Trump's remarks on the Kashmir issue but that "no such request has been made by [Prime Minister Narendra Modi] to US President".
The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, said in a statement: "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 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," Kumar added.
'Would love to be a mediator'
Earlier today, Trump had offered to mediate the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan as he hosted Prime Minister Imran Khan at the White House.
The Pakistani leader held a one-on-one meeting with the US head-of-state, wherein the latter offered to mediate the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.
"I will say that we have a very good relationship with India. I know that your relationship was strained a little bit … maybe a lot," Trump said. "But we will be talking about India, it will be a big part of the conversation today."
"If I can help, I would love to be a mediator. If I can do anything to help, let me know," the US president added.
In addition, Khan said: "The USA is the most powerful country in the world and it can play a very important role for peace in the subcontinent.
"Over a billion people at moment are held hostage to Kashmir situation and I believe that President Trump can bring two countries together," the PM added.
