WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed Pakistan-India relations in 'general terms', but the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir did not figure at their white House meetings earlier this week, according to US officials.
“There wasn’t a great deal of specifics on economics or – and I’m almost 100 per cent sure that the word Kashmir actually did not come up,"  Phil Reiner, Senior Director for India at the US National Security Council, said in response to a question at a media roundtable. 
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Nisha Biswal, who is of Indian origin, also participated in the interaction held at the Washington Press Centre.
Hundred of Kashmiris demanded their right to self-determination in a demonstration in front of the White House when Obama and Modi met. They urged the US leader to press Modi to resolve the decades-old Kashmir dispute.
"I think the two leaders had a very positive conversation not only about our own bilateral relationship but the relationship I think that Prime Minister Modi is interested in developing and pushing forward with his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif," Reiner said.
"It was a very strong and positive conversation about the potential that is inherent. I think that everyone saw with the invitation that was extended to Pakistan's leader to come to New Delhi for the inauguration, I think there's a great interest on the Indian side to see that relationship grow and move in the right direction. That was the gist of the conversation," he said in response to a question.
Nisha Desai Biswal said the two leaders shared the desire to support and strengthen democracy across the region.
India, she said, has played a very helpful and supportive and constructive role in supporting Afghanistan's economic development.
"The Prime Minister pledged to continue in that direction, to continue to provide that support to the new government of Afghanistan. We welcome and value that, and we'll look forward to discussing what additional support India can continue to provide in that arena," she said.
"We will have close consultations with India, as we do with all of the neighbours of Afghanistan, with respect to how countries in the region can support the stability and the security and the prosperity of Afghanistan, because it is in the interests of all the countries in the region.”
In response to the question about religious freedom in India, Reiner said it is a critical issue for both the governments.
“Really, the theme that I heard was what Nisha was just referring to in terms of inclusivity and reaching out to everyone.  And again, I think this is an important thing that everything that we’re doing across the spectrum leads to.  And part of our agenda going forward, of course, will cover what you’re asking about (religious freedom).  And we will be working closely with the Indian Government on precisely what you’re asking about in – not just in response to any – a letter, but because it’s a critical issue for both of our governments.”