New Delhi/Biarritz: Speaking loud and clear in the presence of US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the issues between India and Pakistan were bilateral in nature and he “doesn’t want to trouble any third country” on this.
Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said that the Kashmir issue did come up for discussion at a meeting earlier between Modi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“The Prime Minister laid out our basic position (to the UN Secretary-General) on the internal matter that Article 370 is under the Constitution, that on the international front no step has been taken by India in any way or form to threaten regional peace and stability, on the fact that normalcy is returning to the state of J&K, that in many areas restrictions have been substantially eased ... and underlining that the people and the state (of J&K) have faced terrorism for 30 or more years and this is the primary threat, this is our concern. In keeping with that certain restrictions will remain in place to ensure that law and order is maintained and will be progressively lifted,” Mr Gokhale said.
Sources said Trump emphasised the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan to reduce tensions.
“We spoke last night about Kashmir, the Prime Minister really feels he has it (situation) under control. They speak with Pakistan and I’m sure that they will be able to do something that will be very good,” President Trump said.
“I have a very good relationship with both the gentlemen (PMs Modi and Khan) ... I think they can do it (resolve the issue) themselves.”
Mr Modi said: “All the issues between India and Pakistan are of bilateral in nature, and we don’t want to trouble any third country. We can discuss and resolve these issues bilaterally... Before 1947, we were one country. We can find solutions through discussions.”
“I told him (Khan) we should work together for the welfare of our people,” Modi said.
