Vedant Patel, Deputy Principal Spokesperson for the US State Department. ANI
The United States said on Tuesday it was committed to deepening ties with India in several key areas, while on India-Pakistan ties it welcomes countries taking positive steps with their neighbours, such as condemning terrorism.
“We expect every country on earth to condemn terrorism wherever it occurs, but ultimately this is an issue between India and Pakistan. Generally, all countries welcome more positive relations with their neighbors,” said Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesman for the State Department.
Asked about India-US ties in the wake of the deterioration of relations with several countries with which the US and India do not have good relations, he said the two countries are focused on deepening ties in several key areas, including economic and security ties, and will continue to do so.
“India is a country with which we have deepened our relations in many important areas, particularly deepening economic ties and deepening security cooperation. So this is an area where we will continue to nurture this relationship,” the Chief Deputy Press Secretary said.
The United States had earlier said it wanted India and Pakistan to have a “productive and peaceful relationship” but made clear that the pace, scope and nature of any dialogue was for the two neighbours to decide.
Relations between India and Pakistan have deteriorated sharply since the Indian government revoked Article 370, which gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently sent a “positive message” to India, saying his country does not believe in “permanent hostility” and urged the new government in New Delhi to “calmly consider” future ties with Islamabad.
“We seek good neighbourly relations with India based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and a just and peaceful resolution of the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” Dar said.
He said Pakistan would take all necessary steps to maintain strategic stability in South Asia and would respond effectively and decisively to any reckless military missteps by India. Dar also asked the BJP-led government to reflect on its ties with Pakistan.
“South Asian countries would be wise to fight these challenges rather than pitting themselves against each other. We are not only the least economically integrated region, but also the lowest ranked in almost all indicators of human development,” the minister added.
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