US urges India, Pakistan to resume talks soon

Published August 24, 2015
We are disappointed the talks will not happen this weekend, US State Department spokesman John Kirby says.—AFP/File
We are disappointed the talks will not happen this weekend, US State Department spokesman John Kirby says.—AFP/File

WASHINGTON: Expres­sing disappointment at the cancellation of the proposed talks between the National Security Advisers of India and Pakistan, the United States has urged the two neighbours to resume formal dialogue soon.

“We are disappointed the talks will not happen this weekend and encourage In­­dia and Pakistan to re­­sume formal dialogue soon,” said State Department spokesman John Kirby.

The US official, however, noted that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi did have a “constructive interaction” in the Russian town of Ufa, last month.

“We were encouraged by the constructive interaction between the leaders of India and Pakistan earlier this year at Ufa, particularly the announcement of dialogue between the countries’ National Security Advisers,” Mr Kirby said.

On Saturday evening, Pakistan called off the NSA-level talks scheduled for Sunday, after Indian Exter­nal Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj warned the Pakistani delegation not to meet Kash­miri leaders during their presence in New Delhi.

Pakistan had earlier reiterated its offer to attend the talks without any pre-conditions.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Large projects again?
Updated 03 Jun, 2024

Large projects again?

Government must focus on debt sustainability by curtailing its spending and mobilising more resources.
Local power
03 Jun, 2024

Local power

A SIGNIFICANT policy paper was recently debated at an HRCP gathering, calling for the constitutional protection of...
Child-friendly courts
03 Jun, 2024

Child-friendly courts

IN a country where the child rights debate has been a belated one, it is heartening to note that a recent Supreme...
Dutch courage
Updated 02 Jun, 2024

Dutch courage

ECP has been supported wholeheartedly in implementing twisted interpretations of democratic process by some willing collaborators in the legislature.
New World cricket
02 Jun, 2024

New World cricket

HAVING finished as semi-finalists and runners-up in the last two editions of the T20 World Cup in familiar ...
Dead on arrival?
02 Jun, 2024

Dead on arrival?

Whatever the motivations for Gaza peace plan, it is difficult to see the scheme succeeding.