Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan is on a state visit to the United States and met President Donal Trump on Monday.
Talking to journalists at the White House after meeting with PM Khan, President Trump said that he met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi two weeks earlier and they talked about the subject [of Kashmir].
“[Modi] He said if you would like to be a mediator or arbitrator. I said where? He said Kashmir because this is going on for many years. I was surprised by about how long it was going on.
"I think they would like to see it resolved and you would like to see it resolved and if I can help, I would love to be a mediator.
“It is impossible to believe that two incredible countries with very smart leadership can’t solve a problem.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan told the reporters that the US can play a major role in mediating the issue of Kashmir between Pakistan and India.
“US is the most powerful country in the world. It can play the most important role in bringing peace in the sub-continent. There are over a billion and a quarter people in the sub-continent. They are held hostage to the issue of Kashmir.
“I feel the most powerful state headed by President Trump can bring the two countries together.
“We have tried our best, we made overtures to India to start a dialogue, resolve our differences but unfortunately we haven’t made headways as yet.
“Over a billion people will be praying if you can mediate and resolve this issue.”
However, in response to the statement made by President Trump regarding mediation between the states over Kashmir, the Indian government has refuted the claim of any offer made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We have seen Potus’s remarks to the press that he is ready to mediate, if requested by India and Pakistan, on Kashmir issue. No such request has been made by PM Narendra Modi 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.” Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar wrote on Twitter.
US seeks better ties with Pakistan
Terming Imran Khan a very “popular” and great “athlete” of Pakistan, Trump said that there are a lot of areas that we want to discuss including terrorism, military, and trade.
“Our countries do very little trade compared to what we could be or should be doing. Our countries get along perfectly. I think we will be having that start.”
Trump also said that both the countries will focus more on eradicating polio from Pakistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan with US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump Source: Twitter/flotus
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