No scope for 3rd party in Kashmir: India rejects 4th mediation offer of Trump

JAMMU: There is no role for any third party on the Kashmir issue, India asserted on Wednesday in response to US President Donald Trump's fresh offer—his fourth in last five months-- to "help" India and Pakistan resolve the lingering dispute.
New Delhi's long-held position has been that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and there is no question of any mediation or intervention by any third party.
Addressing the media with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Davos on Tuesday, Trump said that the US was watching the developments relating to Kashmir "very closely" and repeated his offer to "help" resolve the dispute.
It was Trump's fourth offer in last five months to help both the countries resolve the Kashmir issue after India withdrew the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories.
"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," Trump said.
Official sources said India's clear and consistent position has been that there is no role to play for any third party on Kashmir.
Officials of the Ministry of External Affairs said President Trump's offer wasn't new and that India's response isn't going to be new either.
"India has always rejected third party role in its bilateral relationship with Pakistan, including several offers of mediation made by President Trump," an official said.
The US President who is facing an impeachment trial at home is visiting India in second half of February.
It is learnt that India had communicated to Washington after Trump's offer to mediate on Kashmir last year that it is a bilateral matter with Pakistan.