'Urgent need' for talks: US after Pak's move
August 08, 2019 00:31
There is an 'urgent need' for
dialogue among all actors to reduce tensions and to avoid a potential
military escalation in South Asia, the United States said on Wednesday, hours after
Pakistan expelled the Indian envoy and downgraded its diplomatic
ties.
Pakistan on Wednesday expelled Indian High Commissioner
Ajay Bisaria and downgraded the diplomatic ties with India over what it
called New Delhi's 'unilateral and illegal' move to revoke the special
status of Jammu and Kashmir.
"There is urgent need for dialogue
among all actors to reduce tensions and to avoid the potential for
military escalation," a senior Trump Administration official told PTI in
response to a question on the developments in South Asia.
"The
United States would welcome improved relations between India and
Pakistan, and we will continue to support efforts that reduce tensions
and create an environment conducive for a direct dialogue between India
and Pakistan," the official said on condition of anonymity.
The
official also refuted media reports that India consulted or informed the
US about its decisions on Jammu and Kashmir.
"The Indian
government did not consult or inform the US government before moving to
revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status," the official
said.
Multiple media reports from the US and India said that
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had informed Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo about the Indian decision on Jammu and Kashmir when they met
in Bangkok last week.
"The US calls for calm and restraint on
all sides, noting the history of violence and conflict in the region,"
the official added. -- PTI