Pakistan appeals to US to play role in resolving Kashmir issue

WASHINGTON: Ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's talks with President Barack Obama, Pakistan has asked the US to play a role in resolving the core issue of Kashmir with India and ensure strategic stability in South Asia.

"It is the responsibility of the US and the international community to help resolve the problem of Kashmir, which was the main issue with India," Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said yesterday.

"During the Prime Minister's visit, we will talk about the tension with India on the Line of Control," he said while talking to media here ahead of Sharif's official visit.

"Pakistan wants to have good and peaceful ties with its neighbours, including India, and for this purpose Sharif also went to New Delhi last year to attend the oath taking ceremony of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi but no positive response was received from India," he was quoted as saying by the Radio Pakistan.

He said despite peace overtures, Pakistan did not get any positive response from India.

Sharif will arrive in the US tonight on the three-day official visit. Obama would host Sharif for a meeting at the White House on October 22.