Bush has sought advice on resolution of Indo-Pak issues: Musharraf

NEW YORK: US President George W Bush has sought advice on how he could contribute towards resolution of the India-Pakistan disputes, Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf has said.

"The US leader has asked us how he can contribute towards resolution of Pakistan-India disputes," he said at a gathering of Pakistani Americans on Monday.

Bush after his meeting with Musharraf in Washington last week had made it clear that the Kashmir issue has to be resolved between New Delhi and Islamabad and that the US could only help create conditions for peace and could not "force" nations to reach agreements.

Referring to his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of Havana NAM Summit earlier this month, Musharraf said he was of the view that the Indian leader has a sincere desire to resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir.

He felt that his meeting with Singh was a step towards resolution of the disputes including that of Kashmir, a report of Pakistan news agency APP said.

On Pakistan-US ties, Musharraf said Islamabad and Washington were into a long-term and wide-ranging strategic relationship and described the deal being finalised for purchase of F-16 fighter aircraft as the best possible.

"In the field of defence, we are finalising the F-16 deal...This is the best possible deal that has been given to us," he said.

Observing that the US and Pakistan were partners in the fight against terror, he, at the same time, said Islamabad "is fighting terrorism in its own interest".