'Always adopted a bilateral approach', India on Trump's offer to help in border dispute with China

India has turned down an offer by US President Donald Trump to help the country deal with China in the ongoing border dispute. India said that the border dispute, like any other differences the country has with its neighbours, should be dealt with bilaterally.

'Want to help India'

President Trump, who met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, said he wanted to help India by stopping the skirmishes at the border with China.

CREDIT; ANI

¡°I look at India, I do see the skirmishes on the border, which are quite vicious, and I guess they continue to go on. If I could be of help, I'd love to help, because that should be stopped,¡± Trump said while addressing a joint briefing along with PM Modi at the White House.

'Always adopted a bilateral approach'

Responding to Trump's offer, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India believes in addressing the issue bilaterally.

¡°Whatever issues we have with any of our neighbours, we have always adopted a bilateral approach to dealing with these issues,¡± Misri said.

This is not the first time Trump has offered to get involved in the India-China border dispute.

CREDIT: ANI

During his first term in office, Trump had offered to mediate between India and China, as well as between India and Pakistan.

Trump on reciprocal tariffs

Trump, who assumed office for the second time last month, has promised to impose tariffs on all countries with whom the US has a trade deficit. Earlier this month, Trump had announced a 10 per cent tariff on all imports from China.

On Thursday, Trump said he will impose a reciprocal tariff on a country-by-country basis.

CREDIT: ANI

"On trade, I have decided for purposes of fairness, that I will charge a reciprocal tariff, meaning whatever countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them. No more, no less," Trump said.

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