There is no link between Mumbai attacks and Kashmir dispute: Kerry

Islamabad, Dec.17 (ANI): US Senator John Kerry has said it would be wrong to link the Mumbai attacks to the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.

"I don't think so, it has anything to do with Kashmir," the Daily Times quoted Kerry, as saying.

But he added that the issue needed to be resolved.

As far the US drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas were concerned, Kerry admitted that they have been counter-productive

Kerry, who was appointed chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, promised he would seek a review of the policy upon his return.

He urged both India and Pakistan to co-operate in the investigations of last month's terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

He said India should share whatever evidence it has gathered with Pakistan and Pakistan should try to bridge the trust deficit with India.

In the meeting at the Prime Minister's Secretariat, Senator Kerry assured Gilani he would make efforts for the early passage of the Biden-Lugar Bill by the US Congress and take up the issue of Pakistan's genuine economic and defence requirements at the Capitol Hill and with the new US administration. (ANI)