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US adopts Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir

<>i* Burns asks India to understand Pakistan’s problems
* Pushes Pakistan over Mumbai attacks

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: The US said on Thursday that it wants the Kashmir issue resolved in line with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir – a statement that reflects Pakistan’s stance on the long-standing dispute.

Addressing a press conference after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns – on a three-day visit to India – stunned reporters by saying that the Kashmir issue had to be settled in line with the aspirations of Kashmiris. “It remains our view that a resolution of that issue has to take into account wishes of the Kashmiri people,” he said.

Burns said the US would continue to push the Pakistani government to act against terrorists, as “they are source of instability for the entire world”.

However, Burns also asked New Delhi not to underestimate the seriousness of and difficulties faced by Islamabad in its effort to contain extremists and terrorists.

While Burns emphasised the need for Indo-Pak dialogue, he indicated that the US would let the two countries work out things on their own. “The US has always welcomed dialogue ... but it is also obvious the pace and scope is something for the Indian and Pakistani leadership to decide. How and when to approach that dialogue is for them to decide,” he said.

Burns also asked the international community to help internally displaced Pakistanis, as the issue needed significant international response.

He also announced that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would visit India in the second half of July.

Burns said the US would continue to ask the Pakistani government to act immediately and effectively on Indian concerns to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of Mumbai terror attacks.

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