Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday maintained that there was no discussion on Kashmir in the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Japan recently and “there is no question of any mediation the issue.” But the Congress walked out of the Lok Sabha demanding Modi’s clarification on the US president’s controversial comment.
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said neither Modi nor Trump has denied. “Modi is sending his men to comment, we want it from horse’s mouth... Ghode ke muh se sunna chahte hain, we want it from Modi,” Chowdhury said adding “ it may be correct or incorrect” (Trump’s comment).
He said it was agreed under Shimla Agreement after 1971 war that there would not be any third-party participation in kashmir and it would be a bilateral affair. Chourdhury said now Trump says Modi requested for “interference”.
DMK’s TR Baalu too sought presence of the Prime Minister in the house.
Speaker Om Birla who allowed Congress to speak on the issue after the question hour sought opposition parties to also hear out government’s version, “baat sun kar jayein”. (go out after hearing the treasury side), he said. However, Congress MPs, including Sonia Gandhi, walked out of the house after Chowdhury concluded his statement.
Responding to the Congress, Rajanth said there was no discussion on Kashmir between US President and the Prime Minister in Japan recently and there is no question of any mediation on the issue.
Referring to the statement of foreign minister S Jaishakar on the issue, Rajnath said, nothing could be more authentic” as the latter was himself present during talks. Rajnath said if there was a talk it would not only be on Kashmir but also on the occupied Kashmir. US President Trump had on Monday claimed that Prime Minister Modi had asked him to play the role of a mediator on Kashmir.
Earlier, during Question Hour, the Congress, DMK and a few other parties came to the well demanding the presence of Modi in the House and a statement from him. They were continuously engaged in sloganeering, trying to disrupt the proceeding of the House.