Omar welcomes Indo-US joint statement

Hailing the joint statement by India and the United States, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has welcomed the stand by President Barack Obama of not intervening in the Kashmir issue.

"The joint statement issued by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Obama was "very positive" and recognised the ground realities," Abdullah told a group of reporters here yesterday after addressing a function of Kissan Advisory Board.

"Pakistan has a role in the Kashmir issue and all were awere of that role," he said, adding "Our neighbouring country should play that role and should help India in resolving the Kashmir issue, which he claimed will be the best thing."

"Surprisingly when the interlocutors spoke on Pakistan, some sections of opposition worried on why they talked about that country. Now, when President Obama spoke on Pakistan, everyone said it was good. These are double standards. Pakistan has a role in Jammu and Kashmir," Omar said.

Obama's reference to Pakistan was not a new thing as it was based on ground situation, he said, adding we are all worried about Pakistan's internal situation.