By NNN-PTI
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Washington : Offering to "influence quietly" India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, the US has noted that there has been "good" progress to resolve their bilateral differences but the two countries need to "go a lot farther" to consummate this process.
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that though there has been progress in bilateral ties between the two countries, "it doesn't mean that they've arrived at a state of full understanding or partnership or friendship.
"I think they're not there yet".
Asked by Democratic Senator from Maryland Benjamin Cardin as to how important it is for the United States to be actively involved in trying to get progress between those two countries, he said "I think it's certainly in our interest to say to both countries, if we can be helpful, please let us be helpful".
"I think there have been ways when we have been helpful; and to assert that this is a very critical stage for them, and if they get this relationship right between each other, it will unlock a lot of very positive developments for both of them and as well as for us," Burns said.