No Question of Mediation on Kashmir: Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha
Catch all updates in the latest controversy over Trump’s claim that PM Modi sought US mediation in Kashmir issue.
advertisement
Refusing US President Donald Trump’s claim about PM Modi seeking his intervention in solving the Kashmir crisis with Pakistan, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Wednesday, 24 July, said in Lok Sabha that there is no question of any mediation on the issue.
A top Trump advisor, on Tuesday, had said that the US President "does not make up things".
It is "a very rude question," Trump's Chief Economic Advisor Larry Kudlow told reporters at the White House when a journalist following up on the president's remarks asked if it was made up.
- On Monday, Trump claimed PM Modi, during the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, sought his help in resolving the Kashmir issue
- External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar on Tuesday categorically assured the Rajya Sabha that PM Modi made no requests for US mediation in the Kashmir issue
- The MEA said that it has been India’s consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally
- Rahul Gandhi tweeted that if Modi indeed asked for Trump’s help, he has “betrayed India’s interests & 1972 Shimla Agreement”
No Question of Mediation on Kashmir: Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha
There was no discussion on Kashmir in the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Japan recently and there is no question of any mediation on the issue, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, 24 July.
Making a statement in Lok Sabha, Singh said mediation on the Kashmir issue is ruled out as it is a question of national pride for India.
Imran Khan Warns US of any Misadventure Against Iran
Cautioning the US about any misadventure against Iran, Pakistani PM Imran Khan on Tuesday said any action on the lines of Iraq could be much worse and people would forget al-Qaeda.
"My worry about Iran is.... I am not sure whether all the countries realise the gravity of the situation if there is a conflict with Iran," Khan said in response to a question during his appearance at the US Institute of Peace, a think-tank funded by the US Congress.
"You know, this is not going to be the same as (the 2003 US invasion of) Iraq. This could be much, much, much worse... It could unleash terrorism, which – people would forget al-Qaeda... You know, the battle might be quite short if it goes ahead, bombing airfields and so on," he said, reported PTI.
"But the consequences after that, my worry is that not many people fully understand it. And I would strongly urge that there should not be... another military situation," Khan said amidst an escalation of tension between Iran and the US.
Khan also said that successive governments in Pakistan did not tell the truth to the US, in particular in the last 15 years, adding that there were 40 different militant groups operating in his country.
"We were fighting the US war on terror. Pakistan has nothing to do with 9/11. Al-Qaeda was in Afghanistan. There were no militant Taliban in Pakistan. But we joined the US war. Unfortunately, when things went wrong, where I blame my government, we did not tell the US exactly the truth on the ground," Khan said.
Pakistan Has Not Been Represented Properly in US: Imran Khan
Pakistan PM Imran Khan said on Tuesday that his country's viewpoint has not been represented properly in the US and it has not reached the politicians, Congressmen and senators.
Khan, who went to the Capitol on Tuesday to meet top American lawmakers, said it was time to reset the relationship between the two countries, based on trust and mutual respect, reported PTI.
"So far, I feel Pakistan has not been represented properly in the US. I feel that our point of view has not reached the politicians, Congressmen and senators," Khan said in his joint media appearance with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
President Does Not Make Up Things, Says Trump's Advisor
US President Donald Trump "does not make up things", a top presidential advisor said on Tuesday when asked a question on his stunning claim that PM Narendra Modi had asked him to mediate on the Kashmir issue, a remark which has been strongly refuted by India.
It is "a very rude question," Trump's Chief Economic Advisor Larry Kudlow told reporters at the White House when a journalist following up on the president's remarks asked if it was made up.
"The president does not make anything up. That's a very rude question in my opinion. I am going to stay out of that. It's outside of my lane. It's for Mr (National Security Advisor John) Bolton, Mr (Secretary of State Mike) Pompeo and the president, so I am not going to comment on that. President does not make things up," Kudlow said.
Surprised By India's Reaction to Trump's Offer: Imran Khan
Reacting to India’s response, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday tweeted saying that he is ‘surprised’ at India’s reaction to Trump’s offer.
President Trump Appreciated His Vision: Imran Khan's Party
The official Twitter handle of Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in a series of tweets, went over Khan's meeting with trump. The party said that Trump appreciated Prime Minister Khan’s vision for peace in South Asia and was convinced that the normalisation of relations with India will be mutually beneficial for the two countries.
Sonia Gandhi Comes Prepared to Attack Modi
As the opposition mounted a vociferous attack on the government in Lok Sabha on Tuesday over President Donald Trump's remarks on Kashmir, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi too came well prepared.
Gandhi passed on the transcript of Trump's remarks on Kashmir to party leader Manish Tewari, who was leading the Congress' attack on the issue in Lok Sabha, giving him more ammo.
During the Zero Hour, as Tewari targeted the government over the issue, Gandhi pulled out a bunch of papers from her plastic folder which apparently was the transcript of Trump's statement. She quietly passed it on Tiwari, who started reading the transcript.
Tewari said the remarks made by Trump were serious in nature and the Prime Minister should personally clarify on the issue.
After Tewari was done, the transcript was again passed back to Gandhi, who very neatly tucked it under sheets of papers in the folder.
'It's a Matter of Happiness': Farooq Abdullah
Former J&K CM and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said it’s a "matter of happiness" that PM Modi is trying to resolve the Kashmir issue in every possible way.
“It is a matter of happiness that when PM Modi talked to Trump he had told him that Kashmir issue is complex and if there can be some help it would be good,” he said.
“I congratulate Modi ji, he too wants to use everything to solve this issue that is creating tensions between India & Pakistan,” he added.
Omar Abdullah Takes a Jibe at PM Over Pictures with a Baby
Former J&K CM and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah took a jibe at Modi’s pictures with a baby, saying that the PM has made clear what he thinks about the Opposition's demand of answers over Trump's comments about Kashmir.
Opposition Demands PM Modi's Presence in the House
A meeting of all Opposition leaders is underway at the office of the Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Rajya Sabha. The Opposition is demanding PM Modi be present at the House.
'When Will You Learn to Place Country Over Politics?': Tejasvi Surya
Tejasvi Surya slammed Rahul Gandhi over his comments on the Kashmir row, saying his “only objective here is to strain Indo-US friendship.”
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Over Opposition MPs' Demand for Answer From PM Modi
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 3 pm following an uproar by Opposition MPs where there were raising slogans of "Pradhanmantri jawab do,jawab do, jawab do". (PM give an answer), seeking a reply from PM in Parliament on Trump’s statement.
MPs Demand Statement From PM Modi
TMC MP Saugata Roy said Trump's statement was in violation to the position held by India. He also rejected any clarification by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the issue.
AIADMK's TR Baalu said since the issue involved the PM, he should personally make a statement in the House.
"We demand PM's clarification," TMC MP Derek O'Brien said.
Weak Foreign Ministry Denial Won't Do: Rahul Gandhi
Tweeting about the Trump-Kashmir mediation issue, Rahul Gandhi wrote that if Modi indeed asked for Trump’s help, he had “betrayed India’s interests & 1972 Shimla Agreement”.
Gandhi also pushed for the PM to make a statement.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 2 pm Amid Opposition Protests
The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm amid Opposition protests over Trump's remark on Kashmir mediation.
Opposition Walks Out of House Over Issue
The Opposition on Tuesday walked out of the House over their demand for Prime Minister's response on the statement by US President Trump that PM Modi had asked him to mediate in Kashmir issue.
PM Needs to Clarify if Such a Conversation Took Place: Congress Leader Manish Tewari
Congress’ Manish Tewari said that Trump’s statement felt like a blow to the unity of India and said that it was necessary for PM Modi needed to issue a clarification on Trump’s claim.
“Yesterday's statement by US President Trump, in the presence of Pakistan PM Imran Khan, that PM Modi had asked him to mediate on the Kashmir issue, is like a blow to the unity of India,” Tewari said.
“We would like to demand that the PM comes to the House and clarifies if such a conversation took place between the two. If it didn't, he should say that the US President is giving false statements and is lying about Kashmir,” Tewari added.
Country Has Had to Bow It's Head in Shame in Front of US President: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said “Hindustan’s government had forced the country to bow their head in shame in front of the American President” and said that PM Modi needed to give an answer.
“This is a very serious issue. Hindustan should not have to be ashamed in front of anyone. Such weaknesses make the country even more weak,” Chowdhury said, demanding that PM Modi come to Parliament and make a statement on the issue.
PM Modi Should Himself Issue Clarification on Trump's Kashmir 'Lie': Ghulam Nabi Azad
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday said that the Kashmir issue has consistently been a bilateral issue and that Trump would have thought about making the statement he did. He also said that the Congress wanted PM Modi to make a statement about it.
“No matter which government was in power at the Centre in past, our foreign policy has been that Kashmir is a bilateral issue and no third party can intervene and President Trump knows it,” he said.
“I don't think President Trump would tell Pakistan's PM just like that that India's PM has asked the US to mediate. He must have thought about it,” Azad added.
Azad said that the Congress wanted PM Modi to come out and make a statement that Trump is lying, instead of the EAM Jaishankar.
Sonia Gandhi Says Congress Will Raise Issue of Trump's Statement in Parliament
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, on being asked if Congress will seek a reply from PM in Parliament on Trump’s Kashmir statement said that they would be raising the issue.
“You will see it in the House. We will raise the issue and Congress is raising now also,” Gandhi said.
Country's Unity, Integrity, National Interest Involved: Venkaiah Naidu Reacts to Trump's Statement
Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu in Rajya Sabha reacted to Trump’s statement, saying that it was a national issue and called for everyone to speak as one.
“It is a national issue. Country’s unity, integrity and national interest is involved, we should be seen speaking in one voice,” he said.
'No Such Request Made by PM Modi': Jaishankar on Trump’s Mediation in Kashmir Claim
EAM S Jaishankar categorically assured the Rajya Sabha that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made no requests for US mediation in Kashmir issue, as was claimed by US.
“We heard remarks by President Donald Trump in a meeting with Pak PM that he is ready to mediate if requested by India and Pakistan on the Kashmir Issue. I would categorically assure the house that no such request has been made by PM Modi to US President,” Jaishankar stressed.
“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,” he said.
Congress Questions PM's 'Silence' over Trump's Mediation Claim on Kashmir Issue
The Congress on Tuesday welcomed the government's reiteration of India's 'no third party involvement' stand on the Kashmir issue but asked why PM Modi is "mum" over Trump's claim that the former asked him to mediate on the matter.
Reacting to the MEA's assertion, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said reiteration of time tested line on 'no mediation on Kashmir' is welcome.
The US president's remarks "relate to a meeting between him and PM Modi, wherein our PM had asked him to mediate", he said in a tweet.
"Why is PM 'mum' on what transpired between the two heads of states, more so when it affects our sovereignty?" Surjewala asked.
In another tweet, he tagged the remarks of President Trump put out by the White House.
"Now, 'Whitehouse' puts up @POTUS assertion in 'black & white' that PM Modi asked him to 'mediate on Kashmir'!" he said "When will our PM 'wake up' & call the bluff if President Trump is lying? Or Did PM Modi ask @POTUS to mediate?" Surjewala wondered.
The Congress, along with other opposition parties, had demanded that Prime Minister Modi should clarify whether there has been a shift in India's position of no third party involvement in the Kashmir issue after Trump offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on the matter.
Imran Welcomes Trump's Offer of Mediation on Kashmir, Says It Won't Be Resolved Bilaterally
However, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said the contentious issue between the two South Asian neighbours can never be resolved bilaterally.
Kashmir a Bilateral Issue Between India-Pak; US Welcomes Them 'Sitting Down': State Dept
To save face after MEA’s refusal, the US State Department came out with a statement saying that it was a "bilateral" issue between India and Pakistan, and the Trump administration "welcomes" the two countries "sitting down" for talks.
MEA Rejects Trump's Claim That Modi Sought Mediation in Kashmir Issue
In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs was quick to deny that Modi ever asked for a mediation on Kashmir.
"We have seen President Trump's remarks to the press that he is ready to mediate, if requested by India and Pakistan, on the Kashmir issue. No such request has been made by Prime Minister to the US President," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
"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 Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration provide the basis to resolve all issues between India and Pakistan bilaterally," Kumar said.
Trump Claims Modi Asked Him to Mediate in Kashmir Issue With Pakistan
US President Donald Trump claimed on Monday, 22 July, that Modi and he discussed the issue of Kashmir in Osaka, Japan on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit last month, where the Indian prime minister made an offer of a third-party arbitration on Kashmir.
"I was with Prime Minister Modi two weeks ago and we talked about this subject (Kashmir). And he actually said, 'would you like to be a mediator or arbitrator?' I said, 'where?' (Modi said) 'Kashmir'," Trump said as he held talks with Khan for the first time since the latter came to power in August, 2018.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)