Asserting that India and Pakistan must engage in "direct dialogue" to reduce tensions, the US today said it is for the two countries to determine the pace, scope and character of talks on the Kashmir issue.
"India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation, and we encourage them to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions," a State Department spokesperson told PTI.
"The pace, scope, and character of any discussions on Kashmir is for the two sides to determine, but we support any and all positive steps India and Pakistan can take to forge closer relations," the official said.
The spokesperson said the US has seen reports of clashes between protesters and Indian forces in Kashmir and are concerned by the violence.
"We encourage all sides to make efforts towards finding a peaceful resolution," the official said.
The spokesperson, however, refrained from responding to the allegations of the Union Transportation Minister Nitin Gadkari that Pakistan is exporting terror to India with the sinister design of vitiating the favourable climate which the Narendra Modi government has successfully created for global investors.
"We remain concerned about the violence in Kashmir and refer you to the Government of India on statements made by its minister. We encourage all sides to make efforts towards finding a peaceful resolution," the spokesperson said when asked about Gadkari's accusation.
Speaking at a reception organised by the Overseas Friends of BJP in New Jersey, Gadkari warned Islamabad that its policy of putting road blocks in the economic growth of India through cross-border terrorism will never succeed.
Instead, both India and Pakistan should fight the common enemy - poverty, backwardness and unemployment - through collective efforts and cooperation in socio-economic fields, Gadkari said.
