'Kashmir issue bilateral, resolve issues through dialogue,' US President Donald Trump tells Pak PM Imran Khan

US President Donald Trump on Friday conveyed importance of India and Pakistan reducing tensions through bilateral dialogue on  Kashmir issue during a phone call with Prime Minister Imran Khan, White House said. phone conversation between Trump and Khan took place before close-door-consultation of 15 members of UN Security Council in New York. White House reout of call was issued after meeting concluded at UN hequarters in New York.

“ President conveyed importance of India and Pakistan reducing tensions through bilateral dialogue regarding situation in Jammu and Kashmir," Deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said in a statement.

White House said Trump spoke with Khan to “discuss regional developments" and to follow up on latter’s visit to Washington, DC, last month. “ two leers furr discussed how y will continue to build on growing relationship between United States and Pakistan and momentum created during ir recent meeting at White House," Gidley said.

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In Islamab, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Khan took US President "into confidence" regarding UN Security Council meeting at UN hequarters after Indian government revoked special status of Jammu and Kashmir. "Prime Minister Khan conveyed Pakistan's concern on recent developments in Kashmir and threat y pose to regional peace," Qureshi was quoted as saying by state-run Rio Pakistan.

Foreign Minister said conversation between two leers was held in a "cordial environment". y also agreed to remain in contact over Kashmir issue, he said. y also discussed situation in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Khan said Pakistan has been playing a "constructive role to bring peace in Afghanistan and it me efforts in past and will do so in future too."

Qureshi said Pakistan has contacted four of five permanent members of UN Security Council and are "also trying to contact French President so that his country understands our position".

UN Security Council on Friday held a rare closed door meeting to discuss India revoking special status of Jammu and Kashmir after Pakistan, backed by its all-wear ally, China, requested "closed consultations" on issue. meeting was open only to five permanent members and 10 n-permanent members.

China, a permanent member of UNSC and close ally of Pakistan, h asked for "closed consultations" in Council.

On August 5, India revoked Article 370 of Constitution removing special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and also bifurcated state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Lakh.

Reacting to India's decision, Pakistan expelled Indian High Commissioner soon after deciding to downgre diplomatic ties with New Delhi. India has categorically told international community that its move to scrap Article 370 of Constitution revoking special status to Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter and has also vised Pakistan to accept reality.

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