Trump hopes India and Pakistan come together over Kashmir issue

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he hoped India and Pakistan could come together to resolve their differences over Kashmir, as Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan urged Trump to use US influence to help end India’s “siege” of the volatile territory.

Trump and Khan met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Trump is to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this week.

The president reiterated to Khan as they began their meeting with reporters present that he would be willing to mediate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

#WATCH New York: United States President Donald Trump says, "He lives in a very friendly neighbourhood" when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan states that he looks forward to talk to Trump about Afghanistan, India and Iran. pic.twitter.com/e3UiZfxN1r

— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2019

Muslim-majority Kashmir has long been a flashpoint between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. Both countries rule parts of Kashmir while claiming it in full. Two of the three wars they have fought have been over it.

“If I can help, I’d like to help,” said Trump. “I want everyone to be treated well.”

Khan told Trump Kashmir was facing a humanitarian issue with millions under siege. He asked Trump to implore Modi to lift the siege, saying the crisis could get much worse.

“At least lift the siege,” Khan said.

Just watched Trump-Imran presser - Trump avoided every question on Kashmir doesn't look like he will attend to the issue despite the PM and journalists tried hard to catch his attention

— Ayesha Siddiqa (@iamthedrifter) September 23, 2019

He said Trump heads the most powerful country in the world and that the United States has a responsibility to use its influence on the United Nations Security Council.

“We look to the US to put out flames in the world,” he said.

Trump noted that Modi in his speech had made “a very aggressive statement” before more than 50,000 Indian-Americans at a “Howdy Modi” event on Sunday in Houston.

“I will say it was very well-received within the room, the statement itself. But it was a very aggressive statement and I hope that they are going to be able to come together, India and Pakistan, to do something that is really smart and good for both. There’s always a solution and I really believe there’s a solution to that,” Trump said.

As for Afghanistan, Trump said US-led forces have hit the Taliban hard over the past two weeks since a peace initiative collapsed.