S Jaishankar: India did not request Donald Trump to mediate in Kashmir

New Delhi External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not made any request to US President Donald Trump to mediate with Pakistan on Kashmir adding that Indias consistent position has been to discuss outstanding issues bilaterallyJaishankar made statements on the issue first in the Rajya Sabha and later in the Lok SabhaThe opposition members forced an adjournment in the Rajya Sabha following the Ministers remarks and they staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha as wellI would like to categorically assure the House that no such request has been made by Prime Minister Modi Jaishankar said amid thumping of tables by treasury benches in the Rajya SabhaThe minister said that engagement with Pakistan can resume after it puts an end to crossborder terrorismIt has been Indias consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally Any engagement with Pakistan would require an end to crossborder terrorism he saidHe said the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore declaration provide the basis to resolve all issues between India and Pakistan bilaterallyIn the Lok Sabha the issue was raised during Zero Hour by Manish Tewari of Congress Saugata Roy of Trinamool Congress and T R Baalu of DMK who all demanded a response from the Prime Minister on Trumps remarksTrump during a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had claimed that Modi requested him to mediate the longpending issue So I was with Prime Minister Narendra Modi two weeks ago and we talked about this subject And he actually said would you actually like to be a mediator or arbitrator Did I say where He said Kashmir because this has been going for many many yearsI was surprised at how long it has been going on Trump said at the White House with Khan seated next to himSoon after Trumps remarks the Ministry of External Affairs had said that no such request was made and emphasised that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterallyTewari said Trump had made remarks about his meeting with Modi on the sidelines of G20 summit in OsakaThe Prime Minister should come to this House and respond if such a conversation took place If it did not take place he should say categorically that the US President was making misleading statements telling a lie on the Kashmir issue he saidSaugata Roy said India has been consistently opposed to thirdparty mediation in Kashmir BJP members objected to some of his remarks which led to an uproar in the HouseHome Minister Amit Shah also objected to the remarks and Speaker Om Birla assured that any objectionable remarks will be removed from recordsJaishankar read his statement in the din which could not be heard clearly by the members Shah urged the Speaker to allow the minister to speak againYesterday the President of the United States of America made certain remarks after a meeting with Prime Minister of Pakistan He said that he was ready to mediate if requested by India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issueI assure the House categorically that no such request has been made by Prime Minister I also reiterate that it has been Indias consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally We further underline that any engagement with Pakistan will require an end to crossborder terrorism he said to the thumping of desks by members of treasury benchesHe also said Shimla agreement and Lahore Declaration provide the only basis to resolve all issues between India and Pakistan bilaterallyThe presiding officers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha urged members to speak in one voice on national issuesIt is a national issue Countrys unity integrity and national interest is involved we should be seen speaking in one voice Naidu said before adjourning the Rajya SabhaCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates