India rejects China's offer to mediate on Kashmir

By Shuriah Niazi
NEW DELHI (AA) - The Indian government on Thursday rejected any third party mediation regarding the Jammu and Kashmir issue.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Gopal Baglay said: “We are ready to have a dialogue with Pakistan on Kashmir under a bilateral framework.” India clarified that it was ready to talk to Pakistan only bilaterally without the intervention of another nation, including China. China on Wednesday had said that it was willing to play a “constructive role” in improving relations between India and Pakistan, especially after the increased hostility along the Line of Control. The comments from China had come at a time when India and China are at loggerheads over the construction of a road in the Doklam area near the Sikkim state of India. In a press conference, Gopal Baglay said: “The heart of matter is cross-border terrorism perpetrated on India, including on Jammu & Kashmir.”
He further said that that diplomatic channels were available to both sides to discuss all issues.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Office on Thursday said that Islamabad believed in resolving all issues through dialogue.
“The UN chief, the U.S. president, the Chinese leadership and others have offered to play a role in resolving the Kashmir issue,” said Nafees Zakaria, Foreign Office spokesman.
Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.

The two countries have fought three wars -- in 1948, 1965 and 1971 -- since they were partitioned in 1947, two of which were fought over Kashmir. Kashmiri resistance groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.

More than 70,000 people have reportedly been killed in the conflict since 1989. India maintains more than half a million troops in the disputed region.