ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: Ned Price, US State Department spokesperson, while briefing the newsmen in Washington on Thursday, said that the United States (US) supports constructive dialogue and meaningful communication between Pakistan and India, reiterating that it’s for Delhi and Islamabad to decide on the nature of that dialogue.
The US ready to play its role
The United States is ready to play its role if both countries agree, it added. Ned, in response to a question, refused any meditating role for the United States for talks between Pakistan and India.
Ned said, “Because these are decisions for both nations themselves. If they agree on a particular role for the US, the United States (US) is prepared to, as a partner to both neighbour countries, support that process in any way that we responsibly can,”
“Analysts believe that the United States (US) has the power and authority to mediate between the two partners. India and Pakistan are partners of yours, so why do not you just mediate?” he was asked.
Ned said, “Ultimately, it is not for the United States (UN) to determine the modalities and the way in which India and Pakistan engage one another. What we support is constructive talk, meaningful diplomacy between Pakistan and India, in the first instance, to resolve longstanding disputes”
The US, he said, supports constructive dialogue. “We support diplomacy between Pakistan and India to resolve, again, another set of longstanding conflicts. We are a partner. We are willing to support that process in any way that they deem appropriate. But ultimately, these are decisions that both countries themselves are going to have to make,” he said.
