Don't need US to interfere in India-Pakistan matters, says BJP

Bangalore (Karnataka): Following the comments by United States envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley about possible intervention by the Trump administration to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday it will not accept any third party interference between New Delhi and Islamabad as it is a bilateral issue between the both the countries.

BJP leader S. Prakash told ANI that it is between both the countries to sort it out, adding the new administration will be made to realize the Indian stand properly.

"It is a bilateral issue the third party interference will not be accepted. Even during the Kargil war, then president of America invited both Nawaz Sharif and Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji for talks in Washington which was politely refused by Vajpayee that it is a bilateral issue and it is between Pakistan and India," he added.

Haley, a senior Indian-American member of the Trump administration, said in New York that the US would try and "find its place" in efforts to de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions and not wait till "something happens", indicating President Donald Trump could play a role in such endeavors.

"This administration is concerned about the relationship between India and Pakistan and very much wants to see how we de-escalate any sort of conflict going forward," Haley, who holds a cabinet rank in the Trump administration, said.

India has opposed external involvement in bilateral issues with Pakistan.

During his campaign in 2016, Trump had offered to mediate between India and Pakistan, but was careful to add that it was only if the two nations wanted him to.