Shashi Tharoor Backs Narendra Modi Government, Says 'Impossible' That PM Narendra Modi Would Have Asked Donald Trump to Mediate in Kashmir Issue
After US President Donald Trump's controversial comment, Shashi Tharoor has come out with a statement, where he clearly backs the BJP government, and says that it is 'impossible that PM Narendra Modi has asked Trump to mediate in the Kashmir issue.
New Delhi, July 23: A row has erupted after US President Donald Trump offered to mediate in the Kashmir issue. His remarks have created an uproar both in India as well as in America on Monday. However, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor came out with a statement, where he backed the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Donald Trump's Mediation Offer: Kashmir Bilateral Issue Between India And Pakistan, Says US in Damage Control.
Tharoor, ex-MoS MEA, in a tweet said, "Trump doesn't know what's he saying. Maybe he didn't understand the issue or nobody briefed him. Impossible that Modi will ask anyone else because it's our clear policy that we don't want a 3rd party mediation. If we've to talk to Pakistan, we'll do that directly." MEA Rejects US President Donald Trump's Claim That PM Narendra Modi Asked Him to Mediate in Resolving Kashmir Issue.
Check Shashi Tharoor's tweet:
In their defence, US State Department on Tuesday clarified that the Kashmir issue was a "bilateral" issue between India and Pakistan. The US State Department further stated that the US "welcomes" the two countries "sitting down" for talks, adding the country is "ready to assist" in the process. India has consistently rejected any foreign intervention in the dispute.
Immediately after Trump's comment on the Kashmir matter, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was quick to issue a clarification on the US President's claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Trump to mediate on Kashmir issue, saying "no such request has been made."
On Monday, when Trump met Pakistan Prime Minister he said that "PM Modi asked for help on disputed Kashmir," the US President told Imran Khan, adding that he would "love to be a mediator".
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2019 11:28 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).