US wants India, Pakistan to resolve Kashmir issue bilaterally

WASHINGTON: With Islamabad seeking to 'forcefully' raise the Kashmir issue at the UN, the US has maintained that India and Pakistan should resolve their issues bilaterally.

"What we have said -- nothing is changed about our view that we want to see India and Pakistan work this out bilaterally," State Department spokesman John Kirby yesterday told reporters when asked about Pakistan's attempt to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he would raise the Kashmir issue in his address to the UN General Assembly this year. He has appointed more than 20 special envoys on Kashmir who are traveling across the world, including the United States.

When asked how he viewed Pakistan's effort to raise the issue on international forums, Kirby said, "That's for them to speak to."