New York, September 24
US President Donald Trump distanced himself from any attempts to mediate between India and Pakistan on Tuesday, saying it would be great if Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan could “work out something” on Kashmir.
Trump made the remarks as he met Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session here.
“It will be great if they can work out something on Kashmir,” Trump said in response to a question, a day after he met Khan on Monday and once again offered to mediate between Pakistan and India on the Kashmir issue if both sides agree.
When asked about tackling militant groups that operate in Pakistan and what he would like to tell the country, Trump told the press gathered there that he was sure Modi would be “able to handle that situation”.
“It isn’t a message for me to give. It is a message from Prime Minister Modi to give. And I think he’s made that loud and clear the other day,” he said.
This was their fourth meeting. The two leaders earlier met on Sunday in Houston and shared the stage at ‘Howdy, Modi’ gala event where they displayed a close friendship and a common vision on fighting terrorism.
Tensions between India and Pakistan spiked after India abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
India’s action evoked strong reactions from Pakistan which downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian Ambassador.
Pakistan has been trying to internationalise the Kashmir issue but India has asserted that the abrogation of Article 370 was its “internal matter”. New Delhi has also asked Islamabad to accept the reality and stop its anti-India rhetoric.
He called Modi a rockstar and ‘father of India’, and said he was “like Elvis”. He was referring to the American rock and roll legend, Elvis Presley.
“He is a great gentleman & a great leader. I remember India before was very torn. There was a lot of dissention,fighting and he brought it all together. Like a father would bring it together. Maybe he is the Father of India. We’ll call him the Father of India,” he said.
Modi, on his part, said that the trade ties between India and US would reach 60 billion.
He also said the relationship between India and the US was based on “shared values”.
“America is a very dear friend. Our friendship is based on shared values,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sad at the meeting that he was “thankful to Trump that he came to Houston”.
“He is my friend but he is also a great friend of India’s,” he said at the meeting.
The meeting comes after Trump’s address to the UN General Debate from the iconic General Assembly hall.
Indian officials refused to give details about the agenda of the meeting, saying one should wait for the meeting. Agencies