US encourages dialogue between India, Pakistan on Kashmir

WASHINGTON: Categorically ruling out any role for itself on Kashmir, the US has said that it encourages India and Pakistan to continue with their dialogue on this important issue.

"On the issue of Kashmir, we continue to encourage dialogue between Pakistan and India on this vitally important question.

"We are supporting both countries in trying to find a way to discuss this issue and diffuse tensions and ultimately resolve this issue," State Department spokesman, P J Crowley, told foreign reporters at a news conference here.

"Fundamentally we haven't changed our view of its importance. But ultimately this has to be an issue that is resolved first and foremost between those two countries. We will continue our dialogue with both India and Pakistan to encourage a resolution," Crowley said in response to a question.