Discuss Kashmir issue in India, Pak tells Obama

Pakistan on Thursday expressed hope that United States President Barack Obama would make efforts to resolve the Kashmir problem during his visit to India in November, saying it has always encouraged its 'friends' to use their influence with New Delhi on the issue.

"We hope that President Obama, during his visit to India, would take up this matter, particularly now that we are seeing every day peaceful protests in Jammu and Kashmirs," Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said. He was responding to a question at the weekly news briefing on whether Pakistan is looking to the US to help resolve the Kashmir issue.

"We have always encouraged our friends to use their influence with India in encouraging it to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations' resolutions," Basit said.

Referring to the protests in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "This is a very alarming situation and I think it is incumbent on the international community to take up this matter with India."

India has persistently ruled out international mediation on the Kashmir issue and insisted that it should be resolved bilaterally through negotiations. Basit said the Kashmiris are determined to get "their right to self-determination through a peaceful struggle."

Responding to another question about the removal of bunkers and thinning out of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "We have said earlier that half-hearted measures will not do. Such cosmetic measures have failed earlier."

He maintained that a "just and viable solution" to the Kashmir issue cannot "be found within the framework of the Indian Constitution."

"India, in our view, should seriously introspect and part with its untenable position. Instead of prevarication and procrastination, India should agree to implement the relevant UN resolutions and honour the democratic aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.