People of Jammu and Kashmir expect Obama to speak on Kashmir issue

The people of Jammu and Kashmir are pinning their hopes on U.S. President Barack Obama's visit, as they expect him to speak about the Kashmir issue and help improve relations between India and Pakistan.

"There are a lot of expectations from Obama. If he is interested in the Kashmir issue, then he should think about it and do something. He can bring the two nations close to each other. I think if he is interested, then something good can happen," said a resident, Mohammad Ashraf.

Another resident, Nazir Ahmad, said Obama should bring about a change in their foreign policy to tackle this issue.

"The Kashmir issue is an internationally accepted issue. So, I think, Obama will talk about it. If he wants to look into the issue and try to resolve it, then he should bring about a change in their foreign policy," he said.

President Obama will arrive in the country on January 25 for the second time during his tenure, to build on what he calls one of the defining relationships of the 21st century.

He was invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will be the first U.S. president to attend the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have ratcheted up since Modi called off peace talks in August, with sporadic rounds of heavy shelling pounding civilian villages along a previously peaceful stretch of border.