US advises India, Pakistan to reduce tension to maintain peace in S Asia

Washington, June 13: US has advised India and Pakistan to minimise tension between them to maintain peace and stability in South Asia.

War of words escalated between India and Pakistan after the surgical strike against militants in Myanmar was carried out by Indian army this week.

"I don`t have a comment on that specific operation," said US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke when asked if the US supported or was concerned over India`s cross border strike in Myanmar, a move that has raised hackles in Pakistan.

But "we encourage India and Pakistan to take steps to reduce tensions and to move towards resuming talks," he said.

"The relationship between India and Pakistan is critical to advancing peace and stability in South Asia, so we welcome any steps India and Pakistan can take to reduce tensions and move toward resuming dialogue," Rathke said.

"We encourage India and Pakistan to take those kinds of steps, and we believe that India and Pakistan each have a mutual interest in addressing the threat posed by violent extremism and terrorism," he said.

Asked if the US had reached out officially to India or Pakistan to defuse tensions over the Myanmar strike, Rathke said: "Well, we`ve encouraged a reduction of tensions on both sides at high levels, so that`s something we`ve mentioned."

Oneindia News (With inputs from agency)