ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the United States in its capacity is ready to help Pakistan and India to resolve their disputes through talks.
In a joint press conference along with the prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad on Tuesday, Kerry voiced concern over the incidents on Pakistan-India border and said we encourage the two parties to re-engage for settlement of their disputes.
“It is in the interest of both India and Pakistan to move forward their relationship,” he said, adding that his country in its capacity will help the two countries in that effort.
The secretary of state also appreciated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for reaching out to its neighbours for a peaceful neighbourhood and greater understanding.
Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan wants peaceful relations with all its neighbours both on the eastern and western borders.
“We want a constructive, sustained and result oriented dialogue on all the issues of mutual concern,” he said.
The adviser said that the cancellation of foreign secretary level talks by India followed by the recent incidents of unprovoked and indiscriminate firing on the Line of Control (LoC) and working boundary are a source of serious concern to Pakistan.
Sartaj Aziz expressed the confidence that the United States as an influential member of the international community, can prevail upon India to work with Pakistan towards regional peace and economic prosperity.
To a question, the adviser said that the Indian side had cancelled the secretary level talks and onus is on them to take the initiative for the dialogue. He made it clear that talks with India sans Kashmir dispute is totally out of question.
