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