'I'll do whatever I can': Trump again offers to mediate over Kashmir between India, Pakistan

United States President Donald Trump again offered mediation over Kashmir on Wednesday, despite India making clear its position that its a bilateral matter between the country and Pakistan.

Confirming that Kashmir was raised during his bilateral meetings with Pakistan and India, Trump said, "We talked about Kashmir and whatever help I can be, I said I offered."

"Whether its arbitration or mediation or whatever it has to be," Trump added.

"I will do whatever I can because they are at very serious odds right now and hopefully that will get better," Trump also said.

"You look at two gentlemen heading those two countries, two good friends of mine, I said fellas work it out, just work it out. Those are two nuclear countries, they've gotta work it out," Trump also said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs reacting to the comments said, "Our position is very clear which was articulated by the PM and as well the foreign minister S Jaishankar."

The ministry clarified that the talks on Jammu and Kashmir took place but on "counterterrorism" and said that "there will be no change in our position". 

Earlier this week as well, Trump offered to mediate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir as he met Pak PM Imran Khan on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly.

Trump had said he is "ready, willing, and able" to meditate on the Kashmir matter if India and Pakistan want him to do so.

"If I can help, I would certainly do that. It will be dependent on both of these gentlemen (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Imran Khan)," Trump had said in response to a question on whether he will offer to mediate on the issue of Kashmir.

"One without the other does not work, if you want to do the mediation or if you want to do the arbitration. But I would certainly want to help if both India and Pakistan would want to do that. It's a complex issue, but if both want it, I would be willing to do that," he had added.

A similar statement was made by the US President in the presence of Khan at a joint press conference during the latter's visit to Washington in July.

Tensions between India and Pakistan soared following New Delhi's decisions to abrogate Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two Union Territories (UTs). 

Pakistan has downgraded its diplomatic ties and suspended bilateral trade with India in the aftermath of the move.

India has maintained that its constitutional decisions on Kashmir is its internal matter -- a stance that has been supported by many countries around the world.