Kashmir dispute should be solved as soon as possible: Trump

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in France to attend his first G-7 Summit, spoke on climate change and biodiversity in a session on Monday and reiterated India’s stand on the issue.

In a meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the summit, he also briefly discussed the Kashmir issue, adding that any issue between India and Pakistan is purely bilateral and does not need mediation from other countries.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said PM Modi will also be the keynote speaker at the Digital Transformation session.

Modi had arrived at Biarritz Sunday evening from Bahrain on a personal invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron.

Soon after landing, he had his first bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart Boris Johnson.

Earlier, PM Modi asserted, sitting right next to President Trump, that all issues between India and Pakistan were bilateral and “that is why we don’t bother any other country” on it.

The US President, who has repeatedly offered to mediate between the two countries, said: “We spoke last night about Kashmir, Prime Minister really feels he has it under control. They speak with Pakistan and I’m sure that they will be able to do something that will be very good.”

He added: “I am good friends with both Prime Ministers, I am here but I think the two can manage it themselves.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar described it as a “good meeting”.

“Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties going forward, in trade & investment, defense & security, science & technology and education sectors”. “Connected histories, common future,” he said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed his country on the Kashmir issue later in the day, Pakistan government confirmed.