Donald Trump said PM Modi had asked him to act as a mediator to resolve the issue.
US President Donald Trump has triggered a political row by claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked him to "mediate on Kashmir. In a joint press conference with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday, Mr Trump had said, "If I can help, I would love to be a mediator". The Foreign Ministry immediately put out a strong denial, emphasising that "no such request has been made" by PM Modi. Hours after Donald Trump's remark, the US State Department, in damage control mode, said Kashmir is a bilateral issue concerning Islamabad and New Delhi and that Washington is "ready to assist". An influential Democratic Congressman also apologised to India's US envoy for Mr Trump's "embarrassing" remarks on Kashmir, while several others came out in support of New Delhi's established stand against any third-party role on the issue. "I just apologised to Indian Ambassador Harsh Shringla for Trump's amateurish and embarrassing mistake," Congressman Brad Sherman tweeted hours after Donald Trump's stunning claim.
Here are the developments after Donald Trump's Kashmir remark:
Need Swift, Clear Response From PM, Says Akhilesh Yadav
"President Trump's recent claims about Kashmir need a swift, clear and emphatic response from the PM. The claims made by Donald Trump violate past agreements and also call into question our autonomy, sovereignty and national security. All conversations must be put on record," the Samajwadi party leader said.
PM Must Tell Nation What Transpired, Says Rahul Gandhi
"President Trump says PM Modi asked him to mediate between India & Pakistan on Kashmir! If true, PM Modi has betrayed India's interests & 1972 Shimla Agreement. A weak Foreign Ministry denial won't do. PM must tell the nation what transpired in the meeting between him and Donald Trump," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
Jyotiraditya Scindia On Donald Trump's Claim
Ghulam Nabi Azad On Donald Trump's Comment
"No matter which government was in power at Centre in past, our foreign policy has been that Kashmir is bilateral issue and no third party can intervene. President Trump knows it and I don't think he would tell Imran Khan that Modi has asked the US to mediate," Ghulam Nabi Azad was quoted as saying by ANI
No Mediation Request Made, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar Says
Speaking in the Parliament today, foreign minister S Jaishankar said that India had not asked US to mediate in the Kashmir issue, contrary to President Donald Trump's claim.
"I would like to reiterate that all engagements with Pakistan will remain only bilateral. I would also like to reiterate that bilateral dialogue is only possible when Pakistan ends cross-border terrorism. The Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration lay the path for any talks on the said issue," he said.
Opposition Lawmakers Raise Trump's Comment In Parliament
Congress Calls For Urgent Discussion In Parliament
Ahead of parliament's sitting on Tuesday, Congress lawmaker K Suresh gave notice for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss Donald Trump's claim. Several Congress leaders have tweeted since morning demanding PM Modi's statement in parliament.
Congress's Randeep Surjewala tweeted:
Shashi Tharoor On Donald Trump's Remark
"Trump doesn't know what's he saying. Maybe he didn't understand the issue or nobody briefed him. Impossible that Modi will ask anyone else because it's our clear policy that we don't want a 3rd party mediation. If we've to talk to Pak,we'll do that directly," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
"Kashmir Such A Beautiful Name..." Trump Said, Offering "Mediation"
"I've heard so much about Kashmir, it's such a beautiful name, it's supposed to be such a beautiful part of the world," Trump said. "But right now there's just bombs all over the place, they say everywhere you go, you have bombs, and it's a terrible situation, been going on for many years. If I can do anything about that, let me know," Donald Trump said.
Kashmir Can't Be Resolved Bilaterally, Says Imran Khan
"There was one point when there was General (Pervez) Musharraf and Prime Minister (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee of India when we did get close to the resolution of the Kashmir issue. But since then we are poles apart and I really feel that India should come on the table; US could play a big part. President Trump certainly can play a big part," Imran Khan said hours after he met Donald Trump," he said.
US Lawmaker Apologises For Trump's Remark