'No Role For Any Third Party On Kashmir': MEA On Donald Trump's Offer To Help Resolve Dispute

India snubbed US President Donald Trump's fresh offer to "help" in resolving the Kashmir dispute on Thursday saying 'there was no role for any third party in the issue'. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated that the Kashmir issue has to be resolved bilaterally with Pakistan adding that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment for engagement.

"There is no role for any third party in the Kashmir issue," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said when asked about offer made by Donald Trump, "Our position on the Kashmir issue and third party mediation has been very clear and consistent. Let me reiterate that there is no role for any third party in this matter."

Addressing the media with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Davos on Tuesday, Trump said that the US was watching the developments related to Kashmir "very closely" and repeated his offer to "help" resolve the matter. Raveesh Kumar said issues have to be resolved bilaterally and the onus was on Pakistan to create an environment for engagement.

"If there are any bilateral issues between India and Pakistan that needs to be discussed, it should be done between the two countries under provisions of Shimla Agreement and Lahore Declaration. But onus is on Pakistan to create such conducive conditions - free from terror, hostility & violence," he said.

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Pakistan's attempt to create an alarmist situation in Kashmir failed and the global community understands its double standards, he said in response to another question.

When asked the comments made by Imran Khan on India and the relations between the two countries, MEA responded saying 'we are hardly surprised by the content and tone of his remarks'.

"We have seen reports about certain remarks on India and India-Pakistan relations made by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at Davos," MEA said.

"We are hardly surprised by the content and tone of his remarks. They are not only factually inaccurate and contradictory, but also demonstrate a growing sense of frustration. Pakistan has to realise that the global community has seen through this double-standard of playing the victim card in their fight against terror on the one hand, and supporting terror groups targeting India and other countries on the other."

"If Pakistan is indeed serious for a peaceful and normal relationship with India as he claims, the onus is on Pakistan to create a conducive atmosphere. They have to take credible, irreversible and verifiable action against terror groups operating from its soil rather than making misleading and alarmist statements to divert the attention of international community," the statement added.