Mullen for US role to settle Kashmir

Washington, Feb. 3: Asserting that improved Indo-Pak relationship is key to success of the US war against terror in the Af-Pak region, top American military commander, Mr Admiral Mike Mullen, has said that the Obama administration should encourage back channel talks between the two countries on Kashmir.

“As part of our long-term regional approach, we should welcome all steps these important nations (India and Pakistan) take to regenerate their ‘back channel’ process on Kashmir,” Mr Mullen, the chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, said in a prepared testimony before the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee. Mr Mullen, who made a joint appearance with the US defence secretary, Mr Robert Gates, told the US Senators that the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan is the epicentre of global terrorism.

“This is where Al-Qaeda plans attacks against the US and our partners — and from where the Taliban targets troops in Afghanistan,” he said.