Search the Internet          Tips

US offers to help India,
Pak resolve Kashmir

Asserting that the Kashmir problem must be resolved through a "healthy political process and a vibrant dialogue" between India and Pakistan, Washington on Tuesday said the US and other countries would take "an active interest" in encouraging a resolution of the issue.

The Kashmir dispute, as indicated by Secretary of State Colin Powell during his recent trips to New Delhi and Islamabad, "must be resolved through a healthy political process and a vibrant dialogue between India and Pakistan that takes into account the wishes of the people of Kashmir," State Department deputy spokesman Philip Reeker told reporters in Washington.

"As the secretary said, Kashmir is on the international agenda, and the United States and other countries are going to take an active interest in encouraging a resolution to the Kashmir issue," he said.

However, the spokesman clarified: "Our role is that of a friend, a friend to India, a friend to Pakistan, trying to help both countries address their differences, including the differences about Kashmir, through a productive dialogue and we have said for a long, long time that dialogue is the only way to make progress on these issues."

Making it clear that the US did not seek a mediator's role, Reeker said: "But we are prepared to provide facilitative assistance if the parties agree."

Reeker said that Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage will return to the region in August, and other senior US officials will also continue engagement in coming months.

"Deputy Secretary Armitage will not only continue our discussions on regional tensions in Kashmir, but strengthen bilateral relations with both nations."

PTI

Indo-Pak Tensions: The Complete Coverage

Tell us what you think of this report