PTI, Washington :
The US has said the pace and scope for a dialogue on Kashmir depends entirely on India and Pakistan while asserting that normalisation of relations between the two countries is vital.
“The normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India is vital to both countries and the region,” State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said.
“Steps that initiate closer regional economic ties can also create jobs, lower inflation, and increase energy supply,” he said.
The spokesperson was responding to questions on the statement by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz that India is shying away from talks on Kashmir and other bilateral issues.
“We believe that the pace, scope, and character of dialogue on Kashmir is for India and Pakistan to determine,” Toner said.
“However, India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation and we encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions,” he added. “The United States strongly supports all efforts between India and Pakistan that can contribute to a more stable, democratic, and prosperous region, but this is an issue that must be determined by the two sides,” Toner said.
Another report adds: Raising concerns over Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism, the US has said it wants to work with all the countries in the region, including India, to combat the menace.
“We obviously work closely with India on counterterrorism efforts in the region as we do with Pakistan, and we’ve been very clear publicly and privately about our concerns about Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism in the region and the need for it to do so,” State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference.
“But we need to work effectively with all the countries in the region in order to increase our ability to combat terrorism and to bring stability to the region,” he said in response to a question.
“We certainly recognise that India has felt the scourge of terrorism on several occasions, and our condolences go out to the Indian people who were killed or injured in those terrorist incidents, and we continue to work with India on more effective counterterrorism efforts,” Toner said, bit refrained from disclosing details of those discussions.
“Part of the solution is more effective coordination, and we’ve talked about this on many occasions. Pakistan and India, the United States, Afghanistan – all those countries have to work more closely together,” he said.
The US has said the pace and scope for a dialogue on Kashmir depends entirely on India and Pakistan while asserting that normalisation of relations between the two countries is vital.
“The normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India is vital to both countries and the region,” State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said.
“Steps that initiate closer regional economic ties can also create jobs, lower inflation, and increase energy supply,” he said.
The spokesperson was responding to questions on the statement by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz that India is shying away from talks on Kashmir and other bilateral issues.
“We believe that the pace, scope, and character of dialogue on Kashmir is for India and Pakistan to determine,” Toner said.
“However, India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation and we encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions,” he added. “The United States strongly supports all efforts between India and Pakistan that can contribute to a more stable, democratic, and prosperous region, but this is an issue that must be determined by the two sides,” Toner said.
Another report adds: Raising concerns over Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism, the US has said it wants to work with all the countries in the region, including India, to combat the menace.
“We obviously work closely with India on counterterrorism efforts in the region as we do with Pakistan, and we’ve been very clear publicly and privately about our concerns about Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism in the region and the need for it to do so,” State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference.
“But we need to work effectively with all the countries in the region in order to increase our ability to combat terrorism and to bring stability to the region,” he said in response to a question.
“We certainly recognise that India has felt the scourge of terrorism on several occasions, and our condolences go out to the Indian people who were killed or injured in those terrorist incidents, and we continue to work with India on more effective counterterrorism efforts,” Toner said, bit refrained from disclosing details of those discussions.
“Part of the solution is more effective coordination, and we’ve talked about this on many occasions. Pakistan and India, the United States, Afghanistan – all those countries have to work more closely together,” he said.
