“Kashmir issue a result of differences between Hindu and Muslims” Trump

WEB DESK

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday once again offered to mediate the “explosive” situation in Jammu and Kashmir, a day after he spoke on the phone with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan premier Imran Khan.

“will do the best I can, (to help) to mediate or do something” said Trump also sought to portray Kashmir issue as a result of differences between Hindu and Muslims.

The US president said he would be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weekend, on the sidelines of the upcoming G-7 summit in Biarritz, France.

“You have the Hindus and the Muslims and I would say they wouldn’t get along so great,” the US president told reporters.

The president also spoke about he phone conversations Monday with Prime Ministers Modi and Imran Khan.

“Spoke to my two good friends, Prime Minister Modi of India, and Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan, regarding Trade, Strategic Partnerships and, most importantly, for India and Pakistan to work towards reducing tensions in Kashmir,” Trump wrote on Twitter, referring to phone calls with Modi and Khan. “A tough situation, but good conversations!”

A senior US official, who has just returned from a visit to the region, called on India Tuesday to quickly release detainees and restore basic liberties. “We continue to be very concerned by reports of detentions, and continued restrictions on the residents of the region,” the State Department official told reporters.

“We urge respect for individual rights, compliance with legal procedures and an inclusive dialogue,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

India has rejected any suggestion of foreign mediation and strenuously denied a claim by Trump last month that Modi had invited him to act a peacebroker.

Amid mounting international concern over a flare-up in violence between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, Trump said he was happy to try and help calm the situation in Kashmir where tensions have spiked since India revoked autonomous rule on August 5.