Day after Donald Trump’s stunning claims on Kashmir, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he was “surprised by India’s reaction to the US President’s offer to mediate on the dispute”.

Calling for the need for a resolution, Khan claimed the Kashmir conflict has “held the subcontinent hostage for 70 years”, adding that generations of Kashmiris “have suffered and are still suffering daily”.

3. Surprised by reaction of India to Pres Trump’s offer of mediation to bring Pak & India to dialogue table for resolving Kashmir conflict which has held subcontinent hostage for 70 yrs. Generations of Kashmiris have suffered & are suffering daily and need conflict resolution.

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— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 23, 2019

In a series of tweets, Imran Khan also thanked US President Donald Trump for his warm hospitality and his “understanding of Pakistan’s point of view” and thereby putting the entire delegation at ease.

1. I want to thank President Trump for his warm & gracious hospitality, his understanding of Pakistan’s point of view & his wonderful way of putting our entire delegation at ease. Appreciate the President taking out time to show us the historic White House private quarters.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 23, 2019

In a shocking statement, Trump had on Monday said that he was requested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mediate in the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters before his meeting in the White House with Khan, Trump asserted that during his meeting with Modi in Osaka, “We talked about the subject, (and) he actually said, ‘Would you like to mediate or arbitrate?’ I said, ‘Where,?’ (and he said) ‘Kashmir’.”

Trump made the claim about Modi while answering a question from a reporter about what he would do to help resolve the Kashmir issue.

India immediately rejected the claims.

External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar clarified that no such request has been made by PM Modi to the US President, adding that it has been India’s consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally.

On Tuesday, the Centre “categorically assured” the Parliament that no such request was made by the PM.

Trump’s comments have created a diplomatic upheaval with the American lawmakers fearing “damage” to the Indo-US ties.

As per the 1972 Simla Agreement, India has time and again maintained that it will not have a third party involvement in the Kashmir issue, which it sees as a bilateral matter with Pakistan.

Despite this, Trump chose to put himself in a neutral position equating India and Pakistan.

Earlier, there were reports that Imran Khan would seek US President Donald Trump’s help to resolve the longstanding Kashmir issue with India.

This was Khan’s maiden visit to the US since assuming power following the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s victory in the 2018 general elections.