RS-KASHMIR JAISHANKAR

No such request made by PM Modi: Jaishankar on Trump's claim
    New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi made
no request to US President Donald Trump to mediate on the
Kashmir issue with Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S
Jaishankar said in Rajya Sabha Tuesday amid a massive
controversy over the US leader's claim.
    He said all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan
can be discussed only bilaterally.
    "I would like to categorically state that no such request
has been made by the Prime Minister to the US President," he
said after Congress and other opposition parties raised the
issue in the House.
    US President Donald Trump had on Monday claimed that
Prime Minister Modi had asked him to play the role of a
mediator on Kashmir.
    The minister said it has been the consistent position of
India that all outstanding issues with Pakistan can be
discussed only
bilaterally.
    "Any engagement with Pakistan will require end to cross
border terrorism," he said, adding Shimla and Lahore accords
provide the basis for resolution of all issues bilaterally.
    Opposition parties were, however, not satisfied by the
statement of the External Affairs Minister and wanted the
Prime Minister to come to the House and clarify.
    This led to heated exchange between opposition benches
and the Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, who adjourned proceedings
till 1200 hours. PTI ANZ
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from a PTI feed.)