State Department’s spokesperson John Kirby on Thursday said that United States (US) is desirous to see decrease in tensions between Pakistan and India.
He advised the neighbouring countries to opt for talks in a press briefing in Washington.
He said that Secretary of State John Kerry has always stressed both countries to continue to hold talks. While answering an Indian journalist’s question about Pakistan’s threat to use atomic bombs, Kirby said that he has not seen any such statement by Pakistan.
Kirby said that speculation about possibility of using atomic nukes would not lessen tensions. He stressed that solutions to longstanding disputes between India and Pakistan are only possible through talks.
“What really needs to happen, is sitting down, dialogue, cooperation, talking through these things, and trying to work through some meaningful solutions” Kirby emphasised.
Asked to comment on report by two US think tanks about Pakistan’s nuclear programme, the spokesman said US would continue to urge all nuclear-capable states, including Pakistan, to exercise restraint regarding furthering their nuclear capabilities.
The report by two US-based think tanks – Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Stimson Center – said Pakistan is going to have about 350 nuclear weapons in a decade or so.
He said he does not have a specific update but these kinds of matters we discuss with Pakistani leaders on a routine basis.
