231: Trump’s Comments on Kashmir Mediation: What it Means for India & Pak

Recently US President Trump made a controversial statement suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked Trump to mediate on the Kashmir conflict. This statement was made while hosting Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Oval Office. “I was with Prime Minister Modi two weeks ago and we talked about this subject (Kashmir). And he actually said, 'would you like to be a mediator or arbitrator?' I said, 'where?' (Modi said) 'Kashmir'," Trump said as he held talks with Khan for the first time since the latter came to power in August, 2018. Now, of course the Minister of External Affairs categorically denied Trump’s claim but the matter isn’t completely settled. In this episode of The Big Story podcast, we take a look at what India and Pakistan’s bilateral approaches have been on Kashmir, how Indian and US politicians are reacting to this episode and we also spoke to former IFS officer Pawan K Varma on what this comment might mean for Pakistan. Tune in! Click here (https://mea.gov.in/in-focus-article.htm?19005/Simla+Agreement+July+2+1972) for full details on the Simla Agreement. Also Read: Trump Praised PM Khan’s Vision, Offered Help on Kashmir: PTI Party (https://www.thequint.com/news/india/president-donald-trump-statement-mediate-india-pakistan-kashmir-issue-live-updates)