President Trump offered to mediate the India-China border disputes, but India has reiterated its commitment to a bilateral approach. India’s Foreign Secretary stated that past offers for mediation have been declined, emphasizing India’s preference for direct negotiation. Additionally, discussions included potential trade and defense agreements, aiming to enhance economic ties between the two nations.
In response to President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate the ongoing border disputes between India and China, India has stated it will adhere to a bilateral approach for resolving such conflicts. Trump’s offer was made following his discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, where he described the border skirmishes as violent and expressed a desire to help.
During a joint press conference, Trump expressed his concern regarding the violent nature of the skirmishes, saying, “If I could be of help, I’d love to help because that should be stopped.” However, soon after this offer, India’s government declined, reaffirming its longstanding policy of addressing disputes directly with neighboring countries.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri spoke to the media about Modi’s visit to the US, reiterating that India has consistently opted for a bilateral method in resolving issues with its neighbors. Past offers from Trump to mediate, including between India and Pakistan, have also been declined by the Indian government.
The Trump administration is positioning itself as a global mediator, aiming to address various geopolitical tensions, including issues surrounding Russia-Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East. Misri also briefly mentioned discussions on the proposed sale of F-35 fighter jets to India, highlighting that formal negotiations are not yet underway.
Trade tariffs, a prominent aspect of Trump’s economic strategy, were raised during their discussions. Misri noted that the two leaders exchanged views on tariffs and emphasized the potential for initiating talks on a bilateral trade agreement, which may finalize by fall 2025. During previous interactions, officials attempted to finalize a trade deal in 2020 but faced challenges.
Looking ahead, Misri indicated that both teams from India and the US have received directives to pursue discussions for the trade agreement, marking a strategic opportunity to forge closer economic ties. He expressed optimism about achieving significant progress within the next several months.
The interaction between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi reflects India’s commitment to a bilateral resolution of border disputes, despite Trump’s mediation offers. This stance is supplemented by discussions on increasing defense cooperation through potential military deals and restarting trade negotiations aimed at addressing prior economic challenges. The ongoing dialogues suggest a proactive approach in strengthening India-U.S. relations moving forward.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
