File Picture : Twitter / ANI
US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to “moderate rhetoric” with India over Kashmir, as he underlined the need of exercising “restraint” by both sides and avoid escalation of the “tough” situation in the region.
Trump on Monday spoke separately to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Khan in his bid to ease fresh Indo-Pak tensions after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Trump’s suggestion to Khan came as Prime Minister Modi during his telephonic conversation with the US president conveyed that “extreme rhetoric and incitement” to anti-India violence by certain leaders in the region was not conducive to peace.
After his 30-minute conversation with Modi, Trump held a telephonic conversation with Khan, the second in less than a week.
During the conversation with Khan, Trump “reaffirmed the need to avoid escalation of the situation, and urged restraint” on both sides, the White House said.
The two leaders also agreed to work towards strengthening US-Pakistan economic and trade cooperation, it added.
“Spoke to my two good friends, Prime Minister Modi of India, and Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan, regarding trade, strategic partnerships and, most importantly, for India and Pakistan to work towards reducing tensions in Kashmir,” Trump said in a tweet late on Monday.
Spoke to my two good friends, Prime Minister Modi of India, and Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan, regarding Trade, Strategic Partnerships and, most importantly, for India and Pakistan to work towards reducing tensions in Kashmir. A tough situation, but good conversations!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2019
“A tough situation, but good conversations!” he said.
