The Congress on Tuesday sought explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over US President Donald Trump’s claim that the Indian leader asked him to mediate on the matter.
While Congress president Rahul Gandhi asserted that a “weak” foreign ministry denial wouldn’t do and PM Modi must tell the nation what transpired in the meeting between him and the US president, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said her party would demand an immediate explanation from Prime Minister. “You will see it in the Parliament. We will raise the issue and Congress is doing now also,” Sonia said in her first reaction outside the Parliament before the House started its proceedings.
“President Trump says PM Modi asked him to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir! If true, PM Modi has betrayed India’s interests & 1972 Shimla Agreement,” said Rahul Gandhi in a tweet message.
Though the Congress welcomed the government’s reiteration of India’s “no third party involvement” stand on the Kashmir issue but asked why Modi was “mum” over Trump’s claim. Ministry of External Affairs has rejected Trump’s remarks, made during his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, that Modi had asked him to mediate in resolving the Kashmir issue with Pakistan.
Reacting to the MEA’s assertion, Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said reiteration of the time tested line on “no mediation on Kashmir” is welcome. The US president’s remarks “relate to a meeting between him and PM Modi, wherein our PM had asked him to mediate”, he said in a tweet.
“Why is PM ‘mum’ on what transpired between the two heads of states, more so when it affects our sovereignty?” Surjewala asked.
Congress along with other opposition parties on Monday night demanded a clarification from Modi on whether there has been a shift in India’s position of no third party involvement in the Kashmir issue after Trump offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on the matter.