International NEWS
Obama Rules out US Meddling on Kashmir Issue
June 20, 2009 Visionmp.com news service
US President Barack Obama has ruled out any American mediation on Kashmir issue, saying that bilateral dialogue between the two sides is the best way to reduce tension between Indian and Pakistan.
“I believe that there are opportunities, maybe not starting with Kashmir but starting with other issues, that Pakistan and India can be in a dialogue together and over time to try to reduce tensions and find areas of common interest,” Obama told Pakistan’s Dawn TV in an interview.
In response to a question if he has asked India to resume dialogue with Pakistan, Obama said: “Well, what we have said is that we think that all of South Asia would benefit by reduced tensions between India and Pakistan.”
Obama was answering the query as to why his administration has been silent on Kashmir after he initially mentioned it.
“Well, I don’t think that we have been silent on the fact that India is a great friend of the United States and Pakistan is a great friend of the United States, and it always grieves us to see friends fighting. And we can’t dictate to Pakistan or India how they should resolve their differences, but we know that both countries would prosper if those differences are resolved,” Obama said.
Ruling out any mediation between India and Pakistan, the US President said: “We want to be helpful in that process, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to be the mediators in that process. I think that this is something that the Pakistanis and Indians can take leadership on.”
In response to a question if he has asked India to resume dialogue with Pakistan, Obama said: “Well, what we have said is that we think that all of South Asia would benefit by reduced tensions between India and Pakistan.”
In his recent visit to India, US Under Secretary for State for Political Affairs, William Burns, had delivered Obama’s personal letter to Indian PM Manmohan Singh.
“I think that dialogue is the best way to reduce tensions. And so, you know, we’re hopeful that Prime Minister Singh and President Zardari – they recently had an opportunity to meet briefly. It wasn’t an extensive conversation but it was the start of what may end up being more productive conversations in the future,” Obama underlined.
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