US Encourages Relationship Between India and Pakistan

APP

United Nations: The United States would welcome a “productive and peaceful relationship” between India and Pakistan, remarked State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller on Wednesday.

However, he emphasized that the pace, scope, and character of any dialogue should be determined by the two countries themselves.

Miller made this statement while responding to a question from a Pakistani journalist about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of congratulations to the newly-elected Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on taking the oath of office for his second term.

We, of course, welcome the Indian prime minister’s statement. The United States values its relationship with both India and Pakistan, and we want to see them have a productive and peaceful relationship,” Miller told his daily news briefing.

We would welcome productive and peaceful talks between India and Pakistan, but the pace, scope, and character of any dialogue are matters for India and Pakistan to determine,” he said in response to another question.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi congratulated his Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif, on taking his oath on Monday.

The relations between the two neighbors deteriorated in 2019 after India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories in violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions on the Kashmir dispute.

To yet another question, Miller stated that the investigation into the assassination attempt on a Sikh activist in the US involving the Indian government was still ongoing, despite a lapse of five months since the assassination attempt.

My understanding is that the investigation is ongoing, he added.