The United States says it wants to see deescalation both on ground and in the rhetoric between India and Pakistan, as the two South Asian neighbors continue a dangerous war of words amid ongoing violence in Kashmir.
“We’ve said it many times from the podium – is we want to see closer relations and a normalization of relations, frankly, between India and Pakistan,” Deputy spokesman at the State Department Mark Toner said, speaking broadly about the need for the two South Asian countries to simmer down their tensions.
“It would be the – to the benefit of the region. And we want to see de-escalation in the political discourse between the two countries and greater communication and coordination between them,” he added.
The spokesman was responding to a question about India’s decision to not attend a SAARC summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad.
Questioned specifically about the US position on deescalation, the spokesman replied:
“We’ve said, again, many times that we want to see a de-escalation and that’s, obviously, facts on the ground or actions on the ground, but also within – with – that applies to the rhetoric that’s flying back and forth as well.
“And again, I mean, it’s in both countries’ mutual interest to put aside tensions, work towards putting aside tensions and de-escalating tensions, and establish more normal channels of communication.”
Asked about cross-border terrorism, the spokesman said:
“Well, I mean, clearly we’ve talked about that before is, while we’ve seen Pakistan make progress on some of the terrorist groups operating within its own borders and carrying out attacks within Pakistan’s borders, that we continue to put pressure on Pakistan to respond to those groups who are, quote/unquote, “seeking safe haven on Pakistan’s borders,” that – who are intent on carrying out attacks elsewhere in the region.”
