'Indo-Pak issue must be resolved through composite dialogue': Khurshid

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday expressed his delight over the US dismissing Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's plea to intervene on the Kashmir matter, and said an issue between New Delhi and Islamabad must be resolved through the composite dialogue.

Khurshid said India is confident about its relationship with the United States of America.

"Over a long period we have explained to the United States of America, it is important for the region and the world that what is an issue between India and Pakistan must remain a bilateral issue as reflected in the Shimla agreement, something that we must resolve amongst ourselves through the composite dialogue," he added.

Khurshid further said it is sad that the dialogue between the two Asian neighbours had to be suspended because of very unhappy incidents that happened in Mumbai and also some unwelcome and unpleasant incidents continue on the Line of Control on the border.

"But we are very encouraged and we are pleased and satisfied that the United States of America has understood this point, has understood the Indian point of view and has taken a very clear and firm position on this," he added.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier today said that after the American leadership had dismissed Sharif's plea for the US to intervene in the Kashmir issue, it has been globally established that the resolution of issues between India and Pakistan can only be solved bilaterally.

"Globally, it is now established that the template for resolution of issues between India and Pakistan is bilateralism. This is established and accepted by all countries. What you are mentioning is one more fact that this is global practice, and, it has to be bilateralism that would ensure the resolution of all India-Pakistan issues," MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

Sharif, while on a visit to Washington, had sought the intervention of the United States in resolving the Kashmir issue, despite New Delhi's strong rejection of third party intervention in the matter.

During Sharif's visit to Washington, the United States maintained their stance on intervention, saying India and Pakistan should resolve the matter bilaterally and through dialogue.