On Monday, US President Donald Trump offered to mediate the long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan in Kashmir, signaling a shift in longstanding US policy that the issue needs to be resolved bilaterally.
Since the end of British colonial rule in 1947, Kashmir has been divided between both countries, remaining at the root of tensions between the two nuclear-armed South Asian countries.
“If I could assist, I’d love to be a mediator,” Trump said at the White House, where he hosted Prime Minister Imran Khan from Pakistan. “If I can help, please let me know.”
It’s far from the first time Trump provided to intervene in a global conflict that appeared to be intractable. New Delhi is likely to reject US mediation, which Pakistan has long sought.
On Monday, Trump welcomed Imran Khan as the Premier arrived at the White House for a one-to-one meeting with the leader of the United States. Delegation-level talks accompanied the conference to address bilateral and regional issues.
As Khan made his way to the White House, a crowd of people gathered outside the gates to welcome him with Pakistani colors and dancing to the beat of traditional drums.
The prime minister, who is on a three-day visit to the U.S. at the U.S. president’s invitation, arrived for the first summit-level engagement between Pakistan and the U.S. since both leaders took over their respective offices.
U.S. President was there to receive him at the door as the prime minister came. Both rulers shook hands for one-to-one talks and delegation-level talks before proceedings.
The White House Honorary Guards welcomed the Prime Minister, accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Overseas Special Assistant Zulfikar Bukhari also accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit to the United States.
Trump said he was looking forward to a one-on-one chat with Imran in a brief chat with reporters sitting down at the Oval Office.