Ready To Mediate Again On Kashmir If Both India, Pakistan Want: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump, during a bilateral meet with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in New York, once again offered to mediate Kashmir issue but emphasised that he will do so only if both Delhi and Islamabad want it. “I am ready, willing and able. It's a complex issue. It's been going on for a long time. But if both want it, I will be ready to do it,” Trump said. 

When asked to comment on the situation of Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, Trump said he wants to see everyone treated will in the Valley. 

"I want to see everyone treated well in Kashmir. There is a solution to this," the US President said.

Both the leaders met in New York ahead of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly that opens on September 24. The meeting comes a day after the high-profile "Howdy, Modi!" rally in Houston in which the US president and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a stage and showered each other with praise.

Trump praised the 'Howdy, Modi' mega rally in presence of Khan and said he has heard a "very aggressive statement" by Prime Minister Modi.

"It was very well received within the room," Trump said, referring to the gathering of 50,000 people at the NRG stadium in Houston. During his press interaction alongside Khan, Trump repeatedly snubbed Pakistani reporters and on one occasion even asking one of the journalists whether he is part of the Pakistani delegation.

"Where do you find reporters like these," Trump asked Khan in response to a question posed by a Pakistani journalist on Kashmir. 

Prime Minister Khan, who has declared himself an ambassador of Kashmiris, on Sunday briefed US lawmakers, scholars, human rights activists and the media on the repercussions of India revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.

Earlier on Sunday Prime Minister Khan, who has declared himself an ambassador of Kashmiris, briefed US lawmakers, scholars, human rights activists and the media on the repercussions of India revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.

Khan is on a week-long visit to the US to attend the UN General Assembly beginning on Tuesday. Trump and Imran last met in in July at the White House.

Tensions between India and Pakistan spiked after India abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. India's action evoked strong reactions from Pakistan which downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian Ambassador.

Pakistan has been trying to internationalise the Kashmir issue but India has asserted that the abrogation of Article 370 was its "internal matter". New Delhi has also asked Islamabad to accept the reality and stop its anti-India rhetoric.   

With PTI Inputs