The United States and Pakistan have expressed “strong concern” over recent violence in Kashmir including the army base attack in Uri, stressing the need for all sides to reduce tensions.
America’s top diplomat John Kerry and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York, amid soaring South Asian tensions over violence raging in Indian controlled Kashmir since July.
More than 100 civilians have been killed in the valley in the face of widespread protests. The Himalayan territory remains under a strict security clampdown, while a weekend attack on an Indian military base in Uri killed more than a dozen soldiers.
“The Prime Minister and Secretary (of State) Kerry expressed strong concern with recent violence in Kashmir — particularly the army base attack — and the need for all sides to reduce tensions,” the State Department said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Pakistani Mission to the United Nations said, Sharif sought Washington’s help toward resolving Pakistan-India disputes and raised the issue of Indian state’s perpetration of violence and violations of human rights in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
After the Uri attack, the two South Asian nuclear-armed neighbors have escalated their war of words with New Delhi blaming Pakistani backing for the attack on the military base and Islamabad rejecting the allegation, and accusing India of trying to hide its state repression in the disputed territory. The Uri attack has been described as one of the deadliest, and according to Indian media was carried out by four heavily armed militants. Pakistan and India are likely to clash over the Kashmir issue at the ongoing UNGA session in New York.
According to State Department spokesman John Kirby, Secretary Kerry met Monday with Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif to discuss “our strong, long-term bilateral partnership and to build upon the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue.”
The Secretary commended the Prime Minister for restoring macroeconomic stability to Pakistan over the last three years and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s cooperation on climate change priorities.
Kerry and the Pakistani leader also discussed counterterrorism cooperation and recent developments with regard to Afghanistan.
“The Secretary reiterated the need for Pakistan to prevent all terrorists from using Pakistani territory as safe havens, while commending recent efforts by Pakistani security forces to counter extremist violence.
“They also spoke about regional issues, including recent developments with regard to Afghanistan.
“Secretary Kerry also stressed the need for restraint in nuclear weapons programs. The Secretary praised Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees for over 40 years and highlighted the importance of continued respect for humanitarian principles,” the statement added.
