Trump ready to resolve Kashmir issue

US vice president says new administration intends to be fully engaged with Pakistan, India to advance peace, security

WASHINGTON: US Vice President-elect Mike Pence has opined that President-elect Donald Trump, with his unparalleled negotiating skills, is prepared to play a pivotal role in the Kashmir issue.

Speaking in NBC’s “Meet the Press” show, Pence noted that the rising tensions between India and Pakistan in recent times have exacerbated the Kashmir conflict, causing the thread between the two countries to become tense enough to break.

“Well, clearly there's been great tension between India and Pakistan in recent days, which resulted in violence along the Kashmir region. And I think what the president-elect expressed in conversations with leaders from both countries was a desire for continued US engagement on building the relationship with both of those countries,” Pence said.

“These are two nuclear powers, the president-elect recognises that. And making sure that they know that when this administration takes office, that we intend to be fully engaged in the region and fully engaged with both nations to advance peace and security.”

Asked if Trump would be a mediator over Kashmir, Pence said: “I think you're also going to see an energetic leadership in the world, prepared to engage and to look for ways that he can bring those extraordinary deal-making skills to bear on lessening tensions and solving problems in the world.”

He added that Donald Trump has America’s best interests at heart, including
economic growth and job creation, and brings vital energy to speed-up settling, or at least, reducing conflicts around the world.

While Trump's call to the Taiwanese leader caused quite some controversy, especially adverse reactions from China, it is noteworthy that Trump -- in his effort to establish amicable links with representative of more than 50 nations globally during the transition -- has already had a phone-call conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The talk has been deemed to be surprisingly open and informal. Pence said Donald Trump's decision to buck diplomatic protocol and accept a call from the leader of Taiwan didn't necessarily reflect a shift away from the "One-China" policy. "This was a courtesy call of the democratically-elected president of Taiwan, and a call to congratulate the President-elect," Pence said.