After a brief lull following a series of remarks suggesting a US mediation between India and Pakistan, President Donald Trump has reiterated his offer to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. Speaking to reporters at White House on Monday, Trump said that his mediation offer is still out there, but it was for India and Pakistan to decided whether to accept it.

The President said that the relationship between the two South Asian nations is less heated now that what was a few weeks ago. Tensions between the two neighbours escalated after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status by scrapping provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution. Since then, Pakistan has made several failed attempts to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums. “India and Pakistan are having aconflict over Kashmir as you know. I think (it) is a little bit less heatedright now than (what) was two weeks ago,” he said, according to a report.

“I get along with both countries very well,” Trump saidwhile responding to a question on his assessment of the situation between Indiaand Pakistan. “I am willing to help them if they want. They know that. That(offer) is out there.” Trump’s latest remark on Kashmir comes two weeks afterhe met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit inFrance. At that time, he had agreed to PM Modi’s views that Kashmir was abilateral issue and India will not accept third party’s intervention.

Earlier, during a state visit of Pakistani Premier ImranKhan, Trump had offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir,evoking a sharp response from New Delhi. Washington later denied any change inits stance on Kashmir and maintained that Kashmir was a bilateral issue betweenIndia and Pakistan. All the five permanent UN members but China have openlythat Article 370 was India’s internal matter and backed New Delhi’s stand onKashmir.