India rejects US President's offer to mediate with China

India on February 13 quickly rejected President Donald Trump's offer to "help" mediate an end to border skirmishes with China, saying New Delhi pursued a bilateral approach to resolve issues.

India has affirmed that it wants to resolve all issues, including border issues, with its neighbours through a bilateral approach. (Source: PTI)

The Hindustan Times quoted President Trump's statement at a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after talks at the White House as saying: "I look at India, I see the border fighting is quite brutal and I guess they will continue to happen."

According to him, these clashes should end because "they have been going on for quite a long time and are quite violent", and at the same time suggested "if possible, I would love to help".

This was not an impromptu offer. During his first term as US President, Mr Trump offered to mediate between India and China as well as between India and Pakistan, but New Delhi politely declined.

Less than an hour after the press conference, India indirectly rejected President Donald Trump's offer when Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Vikram Misri made it clear: "Whatever issues we have with any of our neighbours, we have always adopted a bilateral approach to resolve these issues."

However, these may not be the last such comments from Mr Trump on the India-China border tensions, as he seeks to shape his legacy as a “ peacekeeper ”.

During the press conference, the US leader emphasized the importance of diplomatic cooperation between global powers: "I hope that China, India, Russia, the United States and all of us can get along. This is very important."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/an-do-khuoc-tu-de-nghi-cua-tong-thong-my-muon-lam-trung-giai-voi-trung-quoc-304306.html