US supportive of dialogue between India, Pakistan

Welcoming the discussion held between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, the US has said that >dialogue between the two neighbours is a positive step and >it is supportive of such efforts .

“We encourage dialogue between India and Pakistan. We feel that’s a positive step. There have been some steps in recent weeks that we’ve been encouraged by. We believe dialogue is an important step in the process between India and Pakistan,” State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters.

Ms. Psaki was referring to the

>recent meeting held between Mr. Modi and Mr. Sharif in New Delhi on the former’s first day of assuming office as India’s new Prime Minister on May 27.

Mr. Sharif was among the leaders from the neighbouring countries to attend Mr. Modi’s swearing in on May 26.

She, however, said no date has been finalised yet for >Mr. Modi’s Washington visit and for the next round of India-US strategic dialogue.

“We don’t yet have a confirmed date. I know there have also been reports of when a trip by Modi will take place. We don’t have a confirmed date of that either. Obviously we’re working through that with authorities in India,” she said in response to a question.

On the Karachi airport attack, Ms. Psaki said the US did not receive from Pakistan any response to its offer of assistance in the investigation into the incident.

“We have offered forensics and investigative assistance to the relevant Pakistani authorities investigating Monday’s heinous crime. Pakistan has not yet responded to that offer, but it remains on the table,” she said.

“I think you are familiar with our commitment to being a partner with Pakistan and fighting the threat of violent extremism, including from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and how seriously we take that. TTP is a designated foreign terrorist organisation and there are a range of steps the US has taken in that regard,” Ms. Psaki added.