New Delhi, July 17: Britain has renewed its offer to ''help'' reduce tensions between India and Pakistan, but said its efforts to create right conditions for productive dialogue should not be construed as ''mediation''. ''There is no question of mediation. Kashmir is an issue between India and Pakistan, and has to be resolved by the two countries. But if the United Kingdom can help to reduce tensions and create the right conditions for productive dialogue, we shall,'' British High Commissioner in India Sir Rob Young said.

Kashmir used to be a bone of contention between India and the UK, he said, adding the Indian government was suspicious and critical of the British government's position. ''But mutual concern about terrorism and the need to work for an end to support for cross-border terrorism, have brought the two governments together,'' Young said while delivering a lecture at the British Council here last night.

''I believe this issue is now adding another layer of confidence and trust to the relationship,'' he added. Speaking on ''India and the UK: Reflections on a modern partnership'', the British envoy said both India and the UK have suffered the terrible effects of terrorism first hand. ''Terrorism is an attack on the human rights and civil liberties of all people,'' he added.

Pointing out that India and the UK were working together on a number of regional issues, including Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Young said, "Action against terrorism'' was the cornerstone of the partnership charted out by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his British counterpart Tony Blair in January last year. Bureau Report