State Dept deputy spokesperson urges India and Pakistan to improve bilateral relations
The United States has expressed concern over the continuing violence along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir territory and has said the Kashmir dispute and the issue of broader extremism are two separate issues.
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf, answering questions after the incidents of firing along the LoC and Sialkot and Indian politicians’ aggressive anti-Pakistan statements, said Washington would make clear its concerns over any violence
“I want to make a distinction between the Kashmir issue and the broader issue of our concern about extremism in that region. These are two separate issues and our views on both are well-known,” she said.
The spokesperson’s remarks came in response to a question by an Indian journalist who was trying to jumble up the UN-acknowledged Kashmir dispute and extremism in the region.
Harf said Washington’s views on Kashmir had not changed.
“We are concerned about any violence along the LoC. We continue to press India and Pakistan to continue the steps they have recently taken to improve bilateral relations,” she said.
However, she further said, “We believe the pace, scope and character of India and Pakistan’s dialogue on Kashmir is for the two countries to determine because these discussions should be between the two countries, among their own governments.”
In answer to another question the spokesperson underlined the importance of the two nuclear neighbours and urged them to “keep taking steps to build trust”.
