US urges dialogue on LoC tensions

Published January 18, 2013

US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland. -Reuters File Photo

WASHINGTON: The United States would not like to see the progress made by Pakistan and India towards normalisation of relations “jeopardised” in the face of tensions along the Line of Control (Loc), the US State Department said Friday.

“We very much value the progress the two countries have made on the economic, visa and trade side. And we would not like to see that jeopardised because it is in the interest of India and Pakistan and all of us who care about that region,” State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said.

The spokesperson was asked at the daily briefing about the US role in addressing the South Asian tensions over cross-LoC exchange of fire.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's had said that he is not ready for business as usual with Pakistan while Islamabad had proposed foreign ministerial dialogue.

“We think the best way to work through issues on the LoC is for India and Pakistan to work through directly. They are in direct talks now and that is something that we welcome,” the spokesperson added.

Questioned about resoultion of the long march in Islamabad led by Dr. Tahir ul Qadri, the spokesperson said: “I did not get a political update on Pakistan. I hope what you say is true that we had a good political-based resolution. We have been clear that we want to see these issues settled through dialogue and democratically”.

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