WASHINGTON: The United States will back efforts that help improve relations between South Asian neighbours Pakistan and India, the State Department said Tuesday.

Broadly speaking, we will support any efforts between the two countries to improve the relationship, to talk about the issues directly, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said the daily briefing.

Also Read: Nawaz 'gratefully' acknowledges Indian PM's letter

She was responding to a question regarding the exchange of letters between prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi in the wake of devastating floods in in the disputed Kashmir region.

In answer to a question about any United States assistance for Pakistan in flood relief, the spokesperson said she would check the latest updates but indicated the US would be ready to help as she added obviously, we have a number of resources (to assist), if called upon to do so.