US President Barack Obama Monday offered to play any role India and Pakistan would like on resolving Kashmir issue while India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made it clear that New Delhi was not afraid of discussions but terror from across the border must stop.
After talks with Singh, Obama said the two countries have agreed on the need for all nations in the region to take steps to ensure that there are no safe havens for terrorists.
Noting that Kashmir was a long-standing dispute, Obama told a joint press conference that it was in the interest of India and Pakistan to reduce tensions between them.
"The US cannot impose solutions to these problems. I have indicated to Prime Minister that we are happy to play any role the parties think is appropriate in reducing tensions. It is in the interest of the two countries, region and the US," Obama said in the Indian capital city of Delhi.
"So, my hope is that conversations may be taking place between the two countries but they may not start on that particular flashpoint," he said.
Commending Prime Minister Singh for his sincere and relentless desire for peace in the region, Obama said he was convinced that it was in the mutual interest of the two countries to have a dialogue.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said he expected US President Barack Obama or the US administration not to mediate but to facilitate the dialogue process between India and Pakistan.
"What role I would like to see President Obama or any US administration to play is the one that they have been so far playing from time to time -- that is to facilitate the process between India and Pakistan," Omar said to a question at a press briefing here.
"We are extremely sensitive to anything that appears even close to mediation and that obviously is not acceptable," he said, adding but from time to time, the US administration as a friend came forward and facilitated when it was required.
The Chief Minister of the North Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir said obviously the most high-profile intervention was after Kargil intrusions when President Bill Clinton had summoned Pak premier Nawaz Sharif to Washington.
"So really if the US wants to help, then they can perhaps try to get Pakistan to see things from our point of view and help the process from behind the scene," he said.
"We do not require any sort of overt mediation and that is too much to ask... but, we can at least expect that they do not look at India through the prism of Af-Pak policy. I know it is difficult because they have troops serving in Afghanistan, but we have our own considerations," Omar said.
The Chief Minister said that situation should not be seen through the prism of Pakistan.
In reply to another question whether he had met and invited President Obama and his wife to Kashmir, Omar said, "I did have the opportunity to share some moments with Obama and his wife and during the course of which I was able to tell them a little bit about Jammu and Kashmir.
"I also asked them to visit J and K at some point in future. Beyond that it was an informal interaction and I do not think it would be appropriate to say anything else."
Omar was seen chatting for a while with Obama and his wife Michelle at India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's private dinner in honour of US President in Delhi last night.
When Omar's attention was drawn to the fact that Obama has not made any reference to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir for last 20 years, the Chief Minister said that he thinks media in particular has been too hasty in judging the American President's visit.
The first day was about business, the second day was more about culture and India's youth and the third day is the main day of his visit with the address to Parliament, meetings in Hyderabad House and other bilateral matters, he said.