“I was surprised and also pained about Modi’s telephone call to Trump to complain about Pakistan: Asaduddin Owaisi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump over Jammu & Kashmir and rhetoric from Pakistan on issues surrounding the region came under sharp criticism from AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday.

By taking the matter to Trump, Modi appears to be turning what is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan into a trilateral discussion, Owaisi said here.

“I was surprised and also pained about Modi’s telephone call to Trump to complain about Pakistan. What has Trump got to do with it? India’s consistent stand, irrespective of who led the government here, is that Jammu & Kashmir is a bilateral issue. Where is the need for Modi to call Trump and complain about Pakistan?” Owaisi



asked.

Owaisi’s comments came in an interview with a news agency, audio of which was released by the party later in the day. He reminded that when Trump had claimed some time ago that Modi sought his help in resolving J&K issue with Pakistan, the Centre had denied any such request by Modi. “But now, we have him asking Trump to tell Pakistan to dial down. This raises doubts about what has been said earlier about Trump’s claims,” Owaisi said.

“Modi does not speak about J&K in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ with Indians but is willing to talk to Trump. No one else, other than India and Pakistan, can be involved in any issues relating to J&K. Is Trump the world’s policeman? He has no say or role in this matter,” Owaisi said.