'No Role For Third Party In Kashmir Issue': India Again Refuses Donald Trump's Mediation Offer

Raveesh Kumar said India's stand on Kashmir issue is clear and consistent There is no role for any third party in the Kashmir issue, he saidOnus is on Islamabad to create an environment for engagement

There is no role for any third party in the Kashmir issue which has to be resolved bilaterally, MEA spokesperson said during a press conference. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Days after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met United States president Donald Trump in Davos on the sidelines of World Economic Forum 2020, India on Thursday targeted the neighbouring country for its attempt to create an alarmist situation in Kashmir and said that world understands its 'double standards'. "Pakistan's attempt to create an alarmist situation in Kashmir failed and the global community understands its double standards," Ministry of External Affair (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said during a press conference. Speaking to reporters about India's response on Donald Trump's repeated offers to mediate on Kashmir issue, Kumar said that country's stand on the issue is clear. "Our position has been clear and consistent on Kashmir issue. It is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and let me reiterate that there is no role for any third party in this matter." he said. "There is no role for any third party in the Kashmir issue which has to be resolved bilaterally with Pakistan and the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment for engagement," he said. The ministry's assertion came in response to Trump's fresh offer to 'help' in resolving the issue during his meeting with Khan at Davos earlier this week. "There is no role for any third party in the Kashmir issue," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said when asked about Trump's offer. During the presser, Kumar shifted onus back on Pakistan and said that the country must first create a conducive environment to hold talks on bilateral issues between the two nations. "If there are any bilateral issues between India and Pakistan that needs to be discussed, it should be done between the two countries under provisions of Shimla Agreement and Lahore Declaration. But onus is on Pakistan to create such conducive conditions - free from terror, hostility and violence," he said. Addressing the media with Pakistan PM in Davos on Tuesday, Trump said that the US was watching the developments related to Kashmir 'very closely' and repeated his offer to 'help' resolve the matter. ALSO WATCH | 'World Will Realise Pakistan's Strategic Importance Once Ties With India Normalise: Imran Khan While speaking about the deadly Coronavirus that originated in China, Kumar said that Advisory has been issued by Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and our consulates in China adding that people coming from the country will have to go through screening process at the airports. "As far as protecting oneself while living in China is concerned, our Missions have made an effort for this there. But if you come to India you will have to go through the screening process," MEA spokesperson said. China, today, put on lockdown two cities - Wuhan and Huanggang that are at the epicentre of a new coronavirus outbreak that has killed 17 people and infected nearly 600. (With inputs from agencies)