WASHINGTON: India and Pakistan are both working for peace, says the US State Department, disagreeing with the suggestion that the two governments are exploiting an already explosive situation in the region.

“I think we’re all for peace, and what’s important is that the governments are talking,” said the department’s spokesperson Victoria Nuland when asked to comment on reports that Indian and Pakistani governments were using recent clashes on the LoC to fan differences.

This’s the fourth day in a row that the US State Department has commented on recent skirmishes along the Line of Control, urging both governments to show restraint.

“We’ve made representations to both governments urging them to work together to determine the best course of action,” said Ms Nuland.

“We strongly support their continued high-level dialogue that they are engaged in. That is the best way to work through these issues and end the violence and move back to where we had been,” she said.

The State Department official recalled that recent talks between the two neighbouring countries had led to warming of relations, particularly on the economic side, and hoped that it “would lead to a warming on other sides as well.”