The remarks by US President Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested him for his “intervention to resolve Kashmir” triggered a political storm in J&K on Tuesday, with opposition parties demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement in the Parliament to clear his Government’s stand.
“(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi should clarify theGovernment’s stand in the Parliament. This is a very serious issue. We will nottolerate any compromise on India’s stand on Kashmir,” said Congress’s ChiefSpokesperson Ravinder Sharma.
The Congress, Sharma said, out rightly rejects Trumpstatement about his willingness to mediate on Kashmir. “It is against ShimlaAgreement wherein it has been clearly agreed upon that no third-partyintervention will be acceptable on any dispute between two neighboringcountries,” said Sharma.
Former Minister and senior Congress leader Manjit Singh saidthe assertion of Trump has “exposed weak foreign policy of ModiGovernment”. “Congress Governments nevercompromised on national security and particularly on Kashmir issue,” he said.
J&K National Panthers Party (JKNPP) Chief Patron ProfBhim Singh said Prime Minister Modi must clarify about “mediation” remarks theUS President talked about.
“What kind of mediation has Prime Minister Narendra Modidemanded from the US President vis-à-vis Jammu and Kashmir? Does situation inJ&K demand intervention of Trump,” asked Singh.
He said the statement by Trump has exposed the Government ofIndia. “How can BJP compromise on such a sensitive issue and ask United Statesfor intervention. (The PM) Modi must himself clarify over the issues in theParliament,” demanded Singh, adding Congress Governments never allowed thirdparty intervention on Kashmir.
Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leader Ved Mahajanalso asked PM Modi to end the controversy by giving a statement in theParliament which is in session. “(Kashmir) issue is bilateral and it should beresolved accordingly between India and Pakistan,” he said.
Former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta, said the USPresident’s statement to the media was a “lie”. “The PM has not made anyrequest to the US President. Trump is lying. India has never allowed thirdparty intervention (on Kashmir),” he responded to a question.
Gupta, the former Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly, saidIndia was capable of holding talks with other nation (Pakistan), independently.”We don’t need US to intervene on Kashmir,” he said.
Founder of Jammu for India Prof Hari Om said Union ForeignMinister S Jaishankar has clarified the Centre’s stand in Parliament today.