‘Hope to see rapid action’: US asks India to reduce restrictions in Kashmir
Without revealing whether Donald Trump brought up Kashmir issue with Modi, Wells told the reporters the US has raised concerns on Kashmir “at the highest levels”.
After President Donald Trump met the leaders from India and Pakistan, the United States on Thursday said they want India to lift the restrictions in Kashmir and release those who have been detained.
The United States wants India to quickly ease restrictions imposed in Kashmir (HT File Photo)
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“We hope to see rapid action -- the lifting of the restrictions and the release of those who have been detained,” Alice Wells, the top State Department official for South Asia, told reporters, according to AFP.
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She also said that US president Trump is “willing to mediate if asked by both parties”. Trump had earlier offered mediation but was rejected by India.
“The United States is concerned by widespread detentions, including those of politicians and business leaders, and the restrictions on the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.” She further said, “We look forward to the Indian government’s resumption of political engagement with local leaders and the scheduling of the promised elections at the earliest opportunity.”
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In August, Lok Sabha effectively revoked Article 370, ending Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, and passed a bill bifurcating it into two Union Territories — J&K and Ladakh — in decisions that seek to assert the supremacy of the Indian Constitution over the frontier state and effectively rewrite a chapter in its turbulent post-Independence history.
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In August, Lok Sabha effectively revoked Article 370, ending Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, and passed a bill bifurcating it into two Union Territories — J&K and Ladakh — in decisions that seek to assert the supremacy of the Indian Constitution over the frontier state and effectively rewrite a chapter in its turbulent post-Independence history.
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Without revealing whether Donald Trump brought up Kashmir issue with Modi, Wells told the reporters the US has raised concerns on Kashmir “at the highest levels”.
Trump on Sunday joined Modi in a joint rally of more than 50,000 Indian-Americans in Houston, with the two heaping praise on each other.
Trump also heard concerns on Kashmir from Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan.
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