India refuses Trump’s mediation offer over Kashmir

NEW DELHI: India declined US President Donald Trump’s offer to help resolve the Kashmir conflict on Thursday, saying that only New Delhi and Islamabad had to handle the matter.

Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, “There is no position for any third party in the Kashmir issue.”

He quoted as making the comments in response to a question about Trump’s remarks ahead of his meeting in Davos with Prime Minister Imran Khan. “Our position regarding Kashmir has been consistent and clear. It is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan,” he said.

READ MORE: Malaysia to purchase more Indian sugar to solve palm oil issue

Although the matter had to be resolved bilaterally with Pakistan, it is Islamabad’s responsibility to create an engaging environment the Indian spokesperson said. He replied to Trump’s fresh offer to “help” resolve the problem.

Speaking to the media in Davos on Tuesday with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Donald Trump said the US was “very closely” monitoring developments related to the occupied Kashmir and reiterated his offer to “help” resolve the issue.