US Rules out Mediation on Kashmir Issue

US has categorically dismissed Islamabad’s repeated request to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue, saying it can at the most have a facilitator’s role, but will encourage leaders of the two countries to engage themselves in reducing tension in the region, said reports.

“We have said clearly that we are not interested in mediating in the Kashmir. That is not our role,” Mike Hammer, White House spokesman, was quoted as saying in an interview on Thursday.

“I would say that the United States is not seeking any mediation role on the issue of Kashmir and we basically leave it to the parties to address the of course difficult, historical issue,” he was quoted as saying.

“Our’s is really a facilitating role in which we want to encourage both parties to engage with each other and to ensure that going forward there is a peaceful relationship between the two countries,” Hammer was quoted as saying.

He said that this was what President Barack Obama discussed with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when the two leaders met in November and also with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, said reports.

In his meetings, Obama discussed the significance of dialogue between Indian and Pakistan, said Hammer, to reduce any potential tension.

Referring to the meetings of Indian Prime Minister with Pakistani President and Prime Minister and meeting between Indian and Pakistan Foreign Ministers, Hammer said that this was what Obama Administration saw on couple of occasions last year,