A veteran American diplomat, Howard Schaffer has suggested that US should offer support to India for a permanent seat of the UN Security Council in return for New Delhi's agreeing to genuine and enforceable concessions on the Kashmir dispute.
According to Kashmir Media Service, schaffer in his latest book, "The limits of influence: America's role in Kashmir," said: "Washington needs to look for ways to persuade New Delhi to accept an agreement that does not meet all Indian demands and involves genuine and enforceable concessions on its part."
Schaffer, who is a former US Ambassador to Bangladesh and has also served in India and Pakistan, cautioning the Obama administration against being too enthusiastic in its effort to resolve the Kashmir issue, said American efforts in the region should involve quiet diplomacy.
A 36-year veteran of US Foreign Service, Schaffer served as a political counsellor in India from 1977-79 and to Pakistan from 1974-77, besides being appointed as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State responsible for South Asian Affairs twice. If Washington does decide on making sstronger effort, US officials should work quietly, he said, advising the administration against directly involving itself. "Americans should not sit at the negotiating table - a bad idea and one that the Indians will not accept," he wrote.
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