Srinagar: PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said that the ‘disclosure’ made by US President Donald Trump on third party mediation in Kashmir is a ‘huge policy shift’.
The former Chief Minister added that both India and Pakistan should seize the opportunity to work for peace.
In a tweet, she said that despite bad track record of US in resolving protracted conflicts, India and Pakistan should grab the opportunity.
Despite GOI refuting idea of third party mediation on J&K, the disclosure made by Trump marks a huge policy shift. Even though USA doesn’t hold a great record in resolving protracted conflicts, hope both countries seize this opportunity to forge peace through dialogue.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 23, 2019
Trump claimed during his meeting with Pakistan Premier Imran Khan that Narendra Modi had requested him to mediate in the Kashmir dispute.
The Ministry of External Affairs rejected Trump’s remarks, saying it has been India’s consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally.
US also added that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between the countries but the US ‘welcomes the two countries sitting down for talks.’