US calls for lowering Indo-Pak tension

The United States has said it wants to see tensions reduced between India and Pakistan. However, it clearly stated that it is for the two nations to resolve their differences bilaterally.

“We want to see the conflict and the tension reduced, that these are issues that need to be worked out between Indian and Pakistan,” said State Department spokesperson John Kirby. Kirby was addressing reporters at his daily news briefing.

Kirby was responding to a question on remarks made by Tariq Fatemi, special assistance to Premier Nawaz Sharif, that he was requesting the Obama administration and the US Congress to intervene.

However, Kirby refused to entertain questions about a possible US role in improving India-Pakistan relationship.

Fatemi last week visited the US during which he met senior administration officials, including National Security Adviser Susan Rice and members of the US Congress.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2015.