The US State Department has expressed its approval of the “productive and peaceful talks” between Islamabad and New Delhi regarding the ‘disputed’ Kashmir region, Arab News reported.
This statement followed Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Pakistan’s new premier.
Accoridng to the reprot, the conflict over Kashmir involves competing claims from nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, with both countries controlling parts of the region. Since 1947, the two nations have fought two wars and experienced numerous clashes over the Himalayan territory. Tensions escalated in 2019 when Modi’s government revoked Kashmir’s special status, leading to the division of the region into two federally administered territories, resulting in diplomatic tensions and the suspension of bilateral trade with Pakistan.
In response to questions about Modi’s congratulatory message, US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller emphasised the importance of the United States’ relationships with both India and Pakistan. He expressed the desire to see a positive and peaceful relationship between the two nations, clarifying that the pace, scope, and nature of any dialogue should be determined by India and Pakistan.
When asked about the possibility of future talks on all issues, including Kashmir, Miller reiterated the US’s support for productive and peaceful discussions but emphasised that the details of such dialogues are within the purview of India and Pakistan.
Media reports widely indicate that both governments have re-established a back channel of diplomacy since 2021, with the goal of creating a gradual roadmap to normalise relations, the report said.
