US envoys trying to defuse tensions

WASHINGTON: US envoys were very engaged with both Pakistani and Indian governments, encouraging them to continue their dialogue for defusing a potentially explosive situation, the State Department said on Tuesday.

At a news briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said that US ambassadors in both Islamabad and New Delhi had reached out to the two governments to convey our hopes that they will continue to take steps to build trust and to work together.
She noted that since both India and Pakistan had nuclear capabilities, the United States was particularly concerned about the situation.

I think, it probably goes without saying that because of their capabilities that we would be concerned by any increased tensions. I am not saying thats whats happening now but hypothetically speaking if that were to happen, exactly the reason why we are encouraging dialogue, she said.

The US official, however, said that now was not the time to appoint a special envoy to resolve the Kashmir dispute. We can encourage dialogue  but we do not have to do that necessarily with an envoy, Ms Harf said.

I think our ambassadors are very engaged on the ground on this, what that engagement looks like going forward, I dont have a prediction for you other than to say that we will continue to encourage both sides to move forward with dialogue.

Asked if recent increase in tensions along the LoC had alarmed Washington, Ms Harf said: We are always concerned when there are reports of violence along the Line of Control and that will remain the case.