New Delhi, July 23: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was quick to issue a clarification on US President Donald Trump's claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Trump to mediate on Kashmir issue, saying 'no such request has been made.' Donald Trump Meets Imran Khan, Offers to Mediate Kashmir Issue Between India And Pakistan.

According to an ANI report, Raveesh Kumar, Indian MEA spokesperson has strongly denied Trump's statement, he has been quoted saying, "We have seen US President Donald Trump'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."

He further added, "Any engagement with Pakistan would require an end to cross border terrorism. The Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration provide the basis to resolve all issues between India and Pakistan bilaterally."

Check ANI tweets here:

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".

Brad Sherman, US Congressman slammed Trump's statement and called the matter extremely embarrassing. He tweeted saying, "Everyone who knows anything about foreign policy in South Asia knows that India consistently opposes third-party mediation in Kashmir. Everyone knows PM Modi would never suggest such a thing. Trump’s statement is amateurish and delusional and embarrassing."

US Congressman Eliot L Engel, Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs today called Harsh Vardhan Shringla Indian Ambassador to the US & said, "I support dialogue b/w India & Pakistan on Kashmir dispute, but dialogue’s pace & scope can only be determined by India and Pakistan."

Check ANI tweet here:

Kashmir has remained a bone of contention between India and Pakistan for the last seven decades. Both the countries have accused each other of violating the UN-sanctioned guidelines to resolve the dispute.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2019 08:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).