Washington, Dec.11 (ANI): The United States has clarified that the long pending Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally withactive participation of the people of Kashmir.

Addressing a regular briefing, US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley said Washington has been discussing the decades-old issues with both the countries, and wants that they resolve it amicably.

“We understand the importance of the Kashmir issue to both Pakistan and India, and it is something that we do discuss with both countries. But obviously, at the end of a process that has to be something that is resolved ultimately between Pakistan and India with the active involvement of the people of Kashmir,” The Nation quoted Crowley, as saying.

Crowley’s statement came after Pakistan President Asiz Ali Zardari, in his op-ed in The New York Times, urged the US to mediate to resolve the Kashmir issue.

In his article, Zardari, while welcoming America’s 7.5 billion dollar pledge over the next five years for non-military projects in Pakistan, said that the Obama administration should compliment its long-term objectives through some short-term strategies, which would reflect Washington’s ‘neutrality’.

“This long-term commitment must be complemented by short-term policies that demonstrate American neutrality and willingness to help India and Pakistan overcome their mutual distrust. It could start by stepping up its efforts to mediate the Kashmir dispute,” Zardari had said. (ANI)