Trump offers to mediate in India-China border standoff

US President Donald Trump has an itch to mediate, and this time it’s not Kashmir that has attracted his attention, but the “raging border dispute” between India and China.

In a carefully choreographed tweet, Mr Trump signalled his support for India although he couched it in an offer of mediation to both countries whose troops are engaged in tense stand-off at various points in Ladakh.

“We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!” tweeted President Trump.

Trump’s remarks, although phrased differently, echoed that of the US administration’s outgoing pointperson for South Asia, Alice Wells, who strongly backed the Indian position in the border incident and underlined that such disputes are a “reminder of the threat posed by China”.

“The flare-ups on the border, I think, are a reminder that Chinese aggression is not always just rhetorical. And so whether it’s in the South China Sea or whether it’s along the border with India, we continue to see provocations and disturbing behaviour by China that raises questions about how China seeks to use its growing power,” Ms Well had said.

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