US will not mediate on the Kashmir issue

The United States on Wednesday said it would not mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, saying tensions in South Asia should be resolved by the regional parties themselves.

Speaking at a meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry, visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Karl Inderfurth -- Robin Raphel's successor at the state department -- said his country remained concerned about peace in Asia, and particularly about stability in the South Asian region. ''We have been encouraged by the recent positive developments between India and Pakistan.''

Inderfurth, who is in India on a two-day familiarisation visit, pointed out that the Washington Post had recently remarked that ''a little ripple has spread across South Asia''. The US should do whatever it can to encourage this ''little ripple'' to gain strength and succeed.

He said this, however, did not mean that the US wanted to interfere in any way or to assume any role which it was not asked to take.

Inderfurth said there was potential for India and the US to co-operate, share information, exchange candid views and work together on ''global strategic issues''.

He had meetings with Congress president Sitaram Kesri and Foreign Secretary K Raghunath among others. He is also scheduled to meet the defence, home and finance secretaries.

Noting that he was ''very bullish'' about the prospects of Indo-US commercial relations, Inderfurth said, ''As I settle down, I intend to make this area of our relationship a priority, as there are tangible benefits to accrue to both countries.''

US President Bill Clinton, he said, intends to visit India next year. Inderfurth said Hillary Clinton was very much impressed with her visit to India in 1995 and ''she had taken India to heart and was the country's ardent supporter in the US''.

UNI

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