Trump says India, Pakistan can handle Kashmir dispute on their own

Biarritz, France - The US president discussed the issue on the sidelines of a G7 summit with Indian PM Narendra Modi.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that India and Pakistan could handle their dispute over Kashmir on their own, but he was there should they need him.
The US president has previously offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir.
Trump discussed the issue on the sidelines of a G7 summit in France with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who withdrew autonomy for the state of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
"We spoke last night about Kashmir, the prime minister really feels he has it under control," he told reporters. "They speak with Pakistan and I'm sure that they will be able to do something that will be very good," he said.
Trump infuriated the Indian government last month when he said Modi had asked him to mediate in the dispute, drawing an immediate denial from New Delhi.
Sitting alongside Trump, Modi said the issues over Kashmir were bilateral, between India and Pakistan.
Modi's abrupt decision this month to cancel the region's autonomous status triggered weeks of protests, mainly in the restive district of Soura, which has emerged as the centre of discontent.
It has also drawn deep anger in Pakistan, which said last week it would take the case to the International Court of Justice.
On Monday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said the United Nations had a responsibility to ensure that the people of Kashmir had the right to decide their own future through a referendum.
"The responsibility today lies on the international community," he said in a special televised address on Kashmir, adding that Pakistan would "go to any length at every forum" to press the issue.
He called on Pakistanis to stop work for half an hour on Friday as a mark of solidarity with Kashmiris.
"We as a whole nation give this message to the 8 million Kashmiris that we are standing with them," he said.

• India
• Pakistan