No mediation on Kashmir issue: US

Washington, Dec 11: The United States has ruled out mediatory role in Kashmir and said that it understands the importance of the issue to both India and Pakistan.

"We understand the importance of the Kashmir issue to both Pakistan and India, and it is something that we do discuss with both countries," state department spokesman PJ Crowley said.

Crowley was responding to a question when asked to comment on such a suggestion by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.

When asked if the US saw any role for itself in this process, Crowley said, "I'm not aware that we've been asked to play a specific role at this point."

"I'll leave it there," he added when asked if the US did not see any role "not even with Pakistan."

Asked if he agreed with Zardari's view on resolving the Kashmir issue, he said, "I'll let the president's view stand on its own."

In an opinion piece published in the New York Times on Thursday, Dec 10, Zardari had called upon the US to help India and Pakistan overcome their mutual distrust by stepping up its efforts "to mediate the Kashmir dispute".

OneIndia News