U.S. President Barack Obama today offered to play any role India and Pakistan would like on resolving Kashmir issue while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made it clear that New Delhi was not afraid of discussions but terror from across the border must stop.
After talks with Mr Singh, Mr Obama said the two countries have agreed on the need for all nations in the region to take steps to ensure that there are no safe havens for terrorists.
Noting that Kashmir was a long-standing dispute, Mr Obama told a joint press conference that it was in the interest of India and Pakistan to reduce tensions between them.
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“The U.S. cannot impose solutions to these problems. I have indicated to Prime Minister that we are happy to play any role the parties think is appropriate in reducing tensions. It is in the interest of the two countries, region and the US,” Mr Obama said.
“So, my hope is that conversations may be taking place between the two countries but they may not start on that particular flashpoint,” he said.
Commending Prime Minister Singh for his sincere and relentless desire for peace in the region, Mr Obama said he was convinced that it was in the mutual interest of the two countries to have a dialogue.
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Mr Obama was replying to a question on his administration’s policy in Kashmir in the context of his statement yesterday on the issue.
On his part, the Prime Minister said he had always maintained that a strong, peaceful and moderate Pakistan was in the interest of India, South Asia and world as a whole.
“We are committed to engage Pakistan. We are committed to resolving all outstanding issues between our two countries including the word ‘K’ We are not afraid of that,” Mr Singh said.
But, the Prime Minister said, “it is our request that you cannot simultaneously be talking and at the same time the terror machine is as active as ever before. Once Pakistan moves away from the terror-induced coercion, we will be very happy to engage productively with Pakistan to resolve all outstandng issues.”