I’ll discuss J&K with Modi at G-7: Donald Trump

The Asian Age.  | Lalit K Jha

World, Americas

The US President also said religion was one of the main reasons for uneasy ties between India and Pakistan.

US President Donald Trump

Washington: US President Donald Trump has said that he would discuss with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the situation in Kashmir and help ease India-Pakistan tensions when they meet at the G-7 summit in France this weekend. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday while welcoming visiting Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Mr Trump said he was happy to try and help calm the situation in Kashmir amidst fresh India-Pakistan tensions after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Trump’s comments to a question on the tension between India and Pakistan came a day after he made separate phone calls to Prime Minister Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. “I’m going to be with Prime Minister Modi. I’ll be with him over the weekend in France,” Mr Trump said, referring to the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France, over the weekend.

“Pakistan Prime Minister (Imran) Khan was here just recently. I get along really well with both of them,” he said. “Kashmir is a very tough situation,” the US President said, noting that India and Pakistan were using howitzers and heavy arms. “And it’s been going on for a long period of time,” he said. “So, you know, I think were helping the situation. But there’s tremendous problems
between those two countries. And I will do the best I can to mediate or do something. Great relationship with both of them, but they are not exactly friends at this moment. Complicated situation,” he said.

But New Delhi has made it clear to the US that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and there was no role for a third party.

“Frankly, it’s a very explosive situation. I spoke to Prime Minister Khan yesterday also with Prime Minister Modi. They’re both friends of mine. They’re great people. They’re great people, and they love their country,” Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump said the subcontinent is having “these talks for hundreds (sic) of years, even under different names,” he said, apparently referring to the breakdown of bilateral talks between India and Pakistan.

The US President also said religion was one of the main reasons for uneasy ties between India and Pakistan. “A lot has to do with religion. Religion is a complicated subject,” he said. “You have the Hindus. And you have the Muslims. I wouldn’t say they get along so great. That’s what you have right now,” he said.

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