US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that that “I believe these two great gentlemen (PM Modi and Pakistani PM Imran Khan) will get together and work something.” He was attending a joint press conference with PM Narendra Modi ahead of their bilateral meet, distancing himself from his “extremely good arbitrator” remark.
Trump on Monday said that he was ready to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue if both sides agree on that. Trump made the remarks during his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.
When journalists asked about Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism and the Pakistan Army’s links to militant groups, Trump said, “The Prime Minister (Modi) will take care of it.”
Trump said, “I really believe that Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Khan will get along when they get to know each other. I think a lot of good things will come from that meeting… it will be great if they can work out something on Kashmir.” This reply came in reply to multiple questions by reporters, reiterating the need for a dialogue between India and Pakistan.
India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter and also advised Pakistan to accept the reality.
The bilateral meeting between the two leaders came two days after Trump and Modi shared the stage at Houston’s ‘Howdy, Modi’ mega event where they shared a common vision on fighting terrorism.
Trump even called Modi “an American version of Elvis”, referring to the ‘Howdy, Modi’ event.
Later, Ministry of External Affairs said that PM Modi and President Trump had focused at length on terror during their 40-minute bilateral meeting. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said, “PM Modi had explained in detail the challenges we have faced, especially terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.”
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted about the meet. He said, “Continuing the Houston bonhomie. Excellent meeting between PM @narendramodi and POTUS @realDonaldTrump, the 4th time in four months. Building upon the strategic partnership based on shared values.”
Continuing the Houston bonhomie.
Excellent meeting between PM @narendramodi and POTUS @realDonaldTrump, the 4th time in four months. Building upon the strategic partnership based on shared values. pic.twitter.com/yr3DZ5rjcY
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 24, 2019
PM Modi presented a framed photograph from the ‘Howdy, Modi’ event to President Trump who thanked him for the gesture.
Memories from Houston, where history was made!
PM @narendramodi presented a framed photograph from the #HowdyModi event to @POTUS @realDonaldTrump.
President Trump thanked PM Modi for this gesture. pic.twitter.com/jP3QjpU4uW
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 24, 2019