Omkar Dattatray
It is very embarrassing that the President of the biggest democracy of the world Donald Trump lied on Kashmir. But the fact is that he is habitual of lying and therefore much should not be read on the Trumps Kashmir revelation. It has been consistent policy of the Indian Government from the beginning that Kashmir is an internal matter of India and Kashmir dispute if any is a bilateral one. It can be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan and there is no scope or place for third party intervention in it.
Therefore in accordance with the Indian policy no third party mediation or arbitration is possible in this issue as the dispute can be resolved bilaterally as per the Shimla agreement and Lahore declaration and hence there is no role for any third party mediation in the controversial issue. India had made it clear timed again that Kashmir dispute is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and can be solved bilaterally without involvement of any third party as it is a bilateral and not a trilateral issue. What Trump has said is very disturbing and a lie as there is no policy stuff as far as the Kashmir issue and stand of Indian Government is concerned.
An avoidable storm has been created by the Trumph's statement while meeting Pakistan PM Imran Khan in Washington that Indian PM Narender Modi has asked for American mediation in the resolution of Kashmir dispute. It is lie woven and created by Donald Trump perhaps to please Pak PM Imran Khan.
The opposition in India particularly Congress is demanding that PM Modi should come to the parliament and give a statement on the subject to clear the air. But since External affairs minister Jai Shanker has given a statement and clarified the position by saying that India stands by its consistent policy that Kashmir is an internal and bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and there is no role for any third party intervention on the matter. The Foreign Minister said that PM Modi has not made any request to President Donald Trump and it is a lie. Now that the foreign minister has made a statement there is no need for PM to speak on the subject.
No PM of India and more so Narender Modi will request the American President to mediate on Kashmir issue. It is a story woven by Donald Trump himself and there is no truth in it. Trump's offer to mediate in Kashmir row rightly triggers uproar. Both house of parliament were rocked by the issue that Trump has been asked by PM Modi to mediate on Kashmir. The opposition led by congress demanding that PM Modi himself should clarify since the Trumps comments were serious.
Ahead of talks with Pakistan PM Imran Khan in White House on Monday, Trump told the reporters that Modi had asked him during a meeting as the side line of G-20 summit in Osaka last month to mediate on the Kashmir issue. The External affairs Minister S.JaiShanker was quick to clarify by denying Trumps startling claim on Monday while strongly reiterating India's consistent position that all out standing issue with Pakistan will have to be resolved and discussed bilaterally including Kashmir. External affair minister has said in Rajya Sabha that Modi had never made any request for mediation to American President.
He further said any engagement with Pakistan requires end to cross border terrorism and Shimla and Lahore agreement are the foundation to resolve the bilateral issue of Kashmir Jai Shanker has categorically stated that no such request has been made by the PM to US President Donald Trump. Therefore now that the Foreign Minister has clarified on the issue, there is no need to continue with the uproar and the opposition should appreciate and realize that no PM of India and more so PM Modi will request the US President to mediate on Kashmir issue.
Just after the Trumps comment, influential democrat congressman Brad Sherman tweeted that he apologized to Indian envoy in the US Harsh Shringla for presidents amateurism and embarrassing mistake. Therefore, it is clear that Indian PM has not asked Donald Trump to mediate on Kashmir and the comments by American President are a mere lie and this should not be attached any importance. Since the external affairs minister has clarified on the issue the opposition should co-operate with the Government and allow the houses of parliament to function. However, in any ultimate analysis it can be said that Kashmir is a bilateral issue and can be rowed bilaterally between India and Pakistan and hence no scope or role for any third party intervention or mediation.
