Pakistan

Pakistan, India to decide fate of Kashmir talks: US

State Department official only said that the US’ position on the disputed territory remains unchanged

News Desk August 17, 2016

US State Dept Press Office Director Elizabeth Trudeau. YouTube screengrab.

The US on Tuesday expressed concern over the fresh wave of violence in Indian Kashmir that has claimed at least 14 lives in the past two days.

Washington also left it to Islamabad and New Delhi to decide on the speed and ambit of talks on the disputed Himalayan state.

Pakistan formally invites India for talks on Kashmir

“We’re aware of the clashes,” said US State Department Press Office Director Elizabeth Trudeau during the daily news briefing. “We remain concerned about the violence, and we encourage to – all sides to make efforts to finding a peaceful resolution.”

Asked about comments of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Azad Kashmir and Balochistan and Pakistan’s offer for talks, the State Department official only said that the US’ position on the disputed territory remains unchanged.

Struggle for self-determination: Pakistan vows to support Kashmir’s freedom

“The pace, the scope, the character of any discussions in Kashmir is for the two sides to determine,” Trudeau said. “We support any and all positive steps that India and Pakistan can take to forge closer relations.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2016.

COMMENTS (11)

Khwaja | 8 years ago | Reply @Shakti: Sir its sad to hear you say fledgeling. I could call you a pernially subservient head nodding culture but i will not succumb to your myopia. Kashmiris have a voice and it should be heard. I am a Kashmiri and my ancestors emigrated from IOK. I dont have any association with Kashmir but just like any other person i too am proud of my heritage. Every heritage needs to be respected. Im sure Kashmiris would be much happier if they are heard..on both sides.

Dipak | 8 years ago | Reply Dipak@Acorn Guts: Not all international countries consider Kashmir as disputed territory. Ask Bangaladesh or Burma. They both hate you. Besides China couldn't care less for you Muslims. They don't allow Muslims to celebrate Eid. You guys to China are just third class people if it wasn't for China's issues with India. Entire Kashmir belongs to India including POK. That's the way it was and that's the way it is and that's the way it will be.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Acorn Guts | 8 years ago | Reply @Tony Singh: International community is in a unanimous agreement that Kashmir is a disputed territory so it is NOT India's internal issue I'm afraid. That's the whole premise of my reply to jay which you have ironically just seconded (thanks).

Shakti | 8 years ago | Reply That is the right thing to say madam. India's 5000 history in Kashmir will not be compromised for a 70-year old fledgling nation. My nation will not rest until every inch of its land is repatriated.

Tony Singh | 8 years ago | Reply @Acorn Guts: Perhaps you should pull your head from the sand look. It is for Pakistan to understand that it will go down economically and militarily if it keeps on poking its rather long nose in internal affairs of every neighbour it has be it India, Iran or Afghanistan. The solution to problem is simple. Leave India if you don't like it as our forefathers left Pakistan and many muslims left India in 1947. Why choice only for Kashmiris? Why were others not given this choice in 1947?

Acorn Guts | 8 years ago | Reply @jay: How long will it take for you to understand that Kashmir is not and has never been part of India, the entire world treats Kashmir as disputed territory, look at any map published by any authority outside India .. look at UN documents ... look anywhere, even Kashmiris themselves don't consider themselves part of India. Don't take Pakistani narrative that Kashmir is part of Pakistan, as a Pakistani even I disagree with that, let Kashmiris decide what they want .. but listen to the rest billions of people around the world for God's sakes! What's worse is that this confusion is stopping you from giving giving Kashmiris their basic human rights and protection that they deserve. Giving Kashmiris their rights is not equal to splitting India .. giving them their right of self determination is what will make your great India even greater

kamal | 8 years ago | Reply India is a US strategic ally. Just as Pakistan is China's. Do not expect any concessions or a fair deal through the US which is slowly transforming itself from a neutral country to Pakistan's enemy. That is fine, except that we should start preparing for it properly and thoughtfully. Additionally, we should increase our covert aid for Kashmiris to assist in secession. If India decides to do something meaningful reply in kind. And just for clarity of direction declare India as THE enemy no. 1. Stop all interaction. Neither India nor the US can do anything about it, other than ofcourse trolling Pakistani online media.

jay | 8 years ago | Reply At least now Pakistan should understand that if there is an issues with Kashmir that is only and only a bilateral problem and should be solved between Indian and Pakistan ! NO 3rd PARTY INVOLVEMENT ! ALSO NO MORE DIVISION OF INDIA

Harshvardhan | 8 years ago | Reply How many times pak has gone to the UN and had been rejected still they don't learn

naeemhussain | 8 years ago | Reply When there is a question of Pakistan interest Pakistan has to decide its problems with India of its own but when there is a question Indian interest America is the first country to support India. America you are a friend or foe?

Khwaja | 8 years ago | Reply No. Whats UN for ? Do Kashmiris have a voice ?

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