The US does not think Kashmir issue is on the table for resumption of a composite Indo-Pak dialogue saying the “real question” right now is how Pakistan progressed in ending cross-border terrorism and trial of Mumbai attack suspects.
The Obama administration, however, acknowledged that Kashmir is a “very important issue” between India and Pakistan and hoped the two neighbouring countries would make progress on resolving this issue. It also said there is “no change” in its Kashmir policy.
“I don’t think Kashmir is really the question that’s on the table now,” said assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia Robert Blake in an interview to BBC.
“The real question right now is to first, I think, get some progress on the trial of the Mumbai suspects, those who are already in custody in Pakistan and also from the Indian perspective to see progress by Pakistan on stopping actions by Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and other Punjab-based terrorist groups against India,” Mr Blake said.
Giving the American perspective on Indo-US talks, Mr Blake said that the above mentioned issues are the real “redlines” for re-establishing the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan. State department spokesperson P.J. Crowley told reporters at his daily news briefing that “We recognise that this(Kashmir) is a very, very important issue between India and Pakistan.”
He was responding to a question on the visit of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Jammu and Kashmir and his offer of talks with the separatist if they abandon violence and abide by the Indian constitution.
“As the dialogue between India and Pakistan, continues to expand, including at the leader level, that we would hope that India and Pakistan can make progress in understanding this issue,” Mr Crowley said. —PTI