All grace from PM Imran Khan when greeted by Trump. No shallow acts such as like it or not bear hugs, knuckle-cracking handshakes, pushing other aside to get into picture frames of another PM next door!
Washington acknowledges Pakistan’s key role in facilitating the Afghan peace negotiations for a peaceful South Asia, where Modi vying to get Pakistan isolated got himself isolated. So who was lying, Trump or Modi? Neither leader is particularly familiar with the idea of honesty. We should all wait for Trump’s tweet, might be beginning of an interesting exchange.
However, Trump could not resolve tariff dispute with India, could not stop it from buying Russian weapons like S-400. How he can mediate? Indian policy has been very consistent on Kashmir since decades.
Imran Khan should cash in Mr. Trump’s promise to help Pakistan in coming days. There is also no denying of the fact that Kashmir issue is way above Trump’s league. Let him first solve climate change, North Korea, Iran, and Palestine issues first.
Consequently Imran very rightly pointed out that 1.25 billion people in the subcontinent have been held hostage by issue of Kashmir. US is the only super power of the world. It is irrelevant that if India asked President Trump to mediate in the issue of Kashmir or not. The fact of the matter is that dispute of Kashmir stands. US being the super power of the world has the clout on both the countries and in fact all the countries of the world. The people of sub-continent have the right to live peacefully and progress, therefore mediation from world powers in this matter is pertinent for global peace.
“It has been India’s consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally.” –Then why has Kashmir not been solved for 70 years? This is typical Indian gimmick. They say one thing but do something else like staying away from bilateral talks. The world will have to get involved and has genuine stake in this conflict as it can send the entire world into a nuclear winter.
Indian government should stop playing games and play ball because permanent peace between India and Pakistan will allow the people of the subcontinent to realize their full social & economic potential.
The statement from Indian foreign office should have been more like: No, we didn’t request US but not the subject is on the discussion so we will be happy to work with Pakistan through US to resolve the Kashmir dispute once and for all.
This statement would have gain a lot of support for Modi, even by Pakistanis.
Now, it’s pretty clear who is serious in doing some real work. Our government has been trying hard to bring peace to the subcontinent via dialogue and this needs a good support from Indian government too. Hope better sense will prevail between the two nations. Arms race won’t take us anywhere.
