: President Donald Trump has said that the US is watching the developments between India and Pakistan over Kashmir “very closely” and repeated his offer to “help” resolve the dispute between the two neighbours during his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan here.
Addressing the media with Prime Minister Khan prior to their private meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum here on Tuesday, President
Trump asserted that trade and borders were both critical points for discussion, while Khan said that for him, Afghanistan was the top priority.
Trump told Khan, whom he referred to as ‘my friend’, that he would speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the ongoing Kashmir issue. The US president is expected to visit India in the coming weeks, marking his first visit after taking up his post in the White House.
“What’s going on between Pakistan and India… if we can help, we certainly will be willing to. We have been watching it very closely and it’s an honour to be here with myfriend,” Trump said.
“The Pakistan—India conflict is a very big issue for us in Pakistan and we expect the US to always play its part in deescalating the tensions, because no other country can,” Khan said.
President Trump has repeatedly offered to mediate following India’s August 5 decision to revoke the special status to Jammu & Kashmir and bifurcate the Sate into two Union Territories, evoking strong reactions from Pakistan which has been trying to internationalise the issue.