The US has stated that it doesn’t view its relationships with India and Pakistan as a “zero-sum proposition” and welcomed the steps taken by New Delhi to return the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to full financial and political normalcy per India’s democratic values.
State Department Spokesperson Ned Price additionally informed reporters at his day by day information convention on Wednesday that the US coverage on Kashmir has not modified.
“We welcome steps to return the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to full economic and political normalcy consistent with India’s democratic values. As we’ve said before, Secretary (of State Antony) Blinken has had a couple opportunities to speak to his Indian counterpart (S Jaishankar), both bilaterally and in the context of the Quad,” Price stated.
The Quad, comprising India, the US, Australia and Japan, is geared toward guaranteeing a free and open Indo-Pacific, a area that has witnessed growing Chinese army assertiveness lately.
Price stated the US has necessary relationships with India, in addition to Pakistan.
“These relationships stand on their own in our view,” he stated.
“They are not a zero-sum proposition when it comes to US foreign policy. We have productive, constructive relations, and productive and constructive relationships with one does not detract from the relationship we have at the other. It does not come at the expense of the relationship we have with the other,” Price stated.
“When it comes to India, we have a global comprehensive strategic partnership, and we’ve talked about that. When it comes to Pakistan, I addressed this the other week: We have important shared interests in the region. And we will continue to work closely with the Pakistani authorities on those shared interests,” he stated in response to a query.
The US continues to assist direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and different problems with concern, Price stated.
“Of course, we’ve continued to call for a reduction of tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), returning to that 2003 ceasefire,” he stated.
India and Pakistan had introduced on February 25 that they’ve agreed to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire alongside the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and different sectors.
