US can play 'any role' on Kashmir, says Obama

The US cannot provide a solution to the India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir but it can play 'any role' if the two countries so desire, President Barack Obama said on Monday.

Calling the Kashmir row a "long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan", Obama said that it was in the interest of both New Delhi and Islamabad to reduce tensions between them.

"The US cannot (provide) a solution to this problem," he said, adding he had indicated to Manmohan Singh that "we are happy to play any role ... that is appropriate to reduce their tensions".