Modi Not In ‘Good Mood’ Over China: Trump

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump told journalists that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not in a “good mood” over the “big conflict” between India and China on the border.

“They like me in India. I think they like me in India more than the media likes me in this country. And, I like Modi. I like your prime minister a lot. He is a great gentleman,” Trump said.

He also pointed out both countries have “very powerful militaries”.

Trump, in a tweet on Wednesday, had offered to mediate between the two countries.

India’s External Affairs Ministry has responded by saying they are engaged with China to resolve the matter peacefully.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also said that both India and China have “proper mechanisms and communication channels to resolve the issues through dialogue and consultations”.

On May 5, around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers engaged in a violent face-off which was followed by a similar incident in Pangong Tso in North Sikkim on May 9. Army personnel on both sides clashed with iron rods, sticks and stones.

Among the many border disputes, China claims Arunachal Pradesh to be part of southern Tibet while India contests it.