SP chief demands PMO's response to Trump's mediation claims on Kashmir

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday demanded a "swift" reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate in resolving the Kashmir issue with Pakistan.

The SP president also sought putting all conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump on record.

"President Trump's recent claims about Kashmir need a swift, clear and emphatic response from the @PMOIndia. The claims made by @POTUS (US President) violate past agreements and also call into question our autonomy, sovereignty and national security. All conversations must be put on record," Akhilesh said in a tweet.

Trump's offer to mediate on the vexed Kashmir issue came when he met visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at the White House on Monday.

India on Monday night denied Trump's claim that Prime Minister Modi had asked him to mediate in resolving the Kashmir issue with Pakistan.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Monday said no such request has been made by Modi to the US president.

"We have seen President Trump's remarks to the press that he is ready to mediate, if requested by India and Pakistan, on the Kashmir issue. No such request has been made by Prime Minister to the US President," he said.

He said it has been India's consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally.