(Repeating with changed quotations as contained in a corrected

press release by The Quint)Kashmir to be decided by the parties involved: US New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) The US today refused to commenton the situation in Kashmir, in the grip of ceaseless violencefor a-month-and-a-half, saying that matter has to be decidedby the parties concerned. Asked to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarksabout atrocities in Pakistan’s Balochistan, US AmbassadorRichard Verma was quoted by news website ‘The Quint’ as havingsaid in an interview that,"I would let the Prime Minister’scomment stand on its own". On the situation in Kashmir, he said,"About the increasedtension in Kashmir in particular, it’s our long-standingpolicy to leave the matter to be decided by the partiesinvolved." On why the US does not raise concern over terrorismoriginating in Pakistan directed against India, Verma said hewould like to "disagree" with the suggestion. "In the last 15 years in particular, the US underdifferent administrations has gone after terrorists, whereverthey are, including LeT. I don’t think there should be anymistaking our commitment," the US envoy added. Terming counter-terrorism as a "huge issue", he said theUS has also been a victim of terrorism just like India. Since9/11, the US has been unrelenting vis-a-vis terrorism, hesaid. On how can America deal with ChinaÂ’s bid to block IndiaÂ’sNSG membership, Verma said it was a hard-work diplomacy andthe US can "get it done". PTI PYKSK