It's for India, Pakistan to decide on their relationship: USA  

Washington, Sep 1: The US has said it is for India and Pakistan to reduce tensions between them and decide on their relationship, ruling out any role for itself in the revival of Indo-Pak dialogue.

"About relations (between India and) India that's really a matter between the two countries. But we certainly want to see reduction in tensions between India and Pakistan," State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said yesterday.

"It's in the interest of everyone in the region and certainly everyone in the world. So as much as there can be dialogue there, as much as there can be a reduction in tensions, we would encourage that," Toner said.

Planned meeting between the National Security Advisor (NSA)'s of Pakistan and India on August 23-24 did not take place as Pakistan called off the talks at the last moment.

Pakistan cancelled the talks after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had virtually given an ultimatum to Islamabad to give a commitment that it would not meet Kashmiri separatist leaders.

The US has asked India and Pakistan in the past also to resolve their long-standing issues through constructive dialogue. Recently US Secretary of State John Kerry said that he wanted the two nations to continue to "work together", with constructive dialogue, to resolve their issues.

PTI