US won't mediate between India-Pak over Kashmir dispute: Holbrooke

Lahore, Oct 22(ANI): US Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, has reportedly said that Washington would not play a direct role in resolving the Kashmir issue.

Holbrooke said that it was upto both India and Pakistan to find a negotiable solution to the dispute.

He further highlighted that the Obama administration does not want to interfere in Pakistan's political affairs.

"We cannot play any role in Kashmir issue, and any mediation in this connection is possible if both India and Pakistan are willing the US to play the role," the Nation quoted Holbrooke, as saying.

Holbrooke also stressed that Washington wanted improved India-Pak ties, and revealed that a tripartite dialogue would be held next year.

Earlier, a senior US official had said that the current situation is not apt for the US to play a role in resolving the Kashmir dispute, even if India and Pakistan accept its intervention.

Dr. Isobel Coleman, an official for the US Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, made these remarks while addressing a round-table discussion on "United States and its strategic relationship-building initiatives".

Replying to a question about the US role in resolving the Kashmir issue for bringing peace in the region, Coleman said that it could play a role if the two sides agree.

She however, added, "The situation is not ripe for this".

Commenting on the US-India relationship, she said that Washington considers Delhi a partner and an emerging economy, but it had no implications for Pakistan. (ANI)