Ruling out a mediatory role in Kashmir, the United States has said that while it understood the importance of the issue to both India and Pakistan, it was ultimately between the two nations to resolve. "We understand the importance of the Kashmir issue to both Pakistan and India, and it is something that we do discuss with both countries," state department spokesman PJ Crowley told reporters Thursday when asked to comment on such a suggestion by President Asif Ali Zardari. "But obviously, at the end of a process that has to be something that is resolved ultimately between Pakistan and India with the active involvement of the people of Kashmir." Asked if the US saw any role for itself in this process, Crowley said: "I'm not aware that we've been asked to play a specific role at this point."