The United States has voiced its concern over the recent violence along the line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir, but has stuck to its position that dialogue is the best way to resolve issues between India and Pakistan.
“We’re concerned about any violence, as always, along the line of Control,” State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters, when asked about the tensions following the Pakistani killing of five Indian soldiers in an ambush.
Without going into details of the episode that has rocked Parliament and public opinion in India, Psaki said: “We understand that the Governments of India and Pakistan are in contact over the issue, and we continue to encourage, of course, further dialogue, and we think that’s the best stop to resolve.”
“Well, our policy has not changed. We still believe that these discussions and negotiations should take place with a dialogue between India and Pakistan,” she said when asked if the aspirations of the people of Kashmir should be included in the dialogue at some time.
Dealing with the same questions a day earlier, Psaki had said the US believes that “the pace, scope and character of India and Pakistan dialogue on Kashmir is for those two countries to determine”.
When asked if tensions with India would distract Pakistan’s attention from the fight against Al Qaeda and other terror outfits, Psaki
commented: “Well, we’re encouraging them to continue their dialogue, and we’re hopeful that that will take place. Beyond that, I’m not going to look into a crystal ball.”
She said the US was continuing its counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan. The issue figured during the talks that Secretary of State John Kerry recently had with the Pakistani leaders in Islamabad.
As the Nawaz Sharif Government was too new, Psaki said there can’t be any evaluation so quickly.
“Our goal remains the same and has been consistent for a long time, which is to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al Qaeda. As the result of the enormous pressure we’ve put on the group, we have eliminated all of Al Qaeda’s senior leadership in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” she said.