The White House is counseling Pakistan and India to address their disputes through diplomacy for stability in the volatile South Asian region, boiling with tensioins amid ongoing violence in Indian controlled Kashmir.
The disputed Himalayan region has been on edge since protests demonstrations broke out in July after which Indian repression has killed more than 100 civilians while an attack on a military base in Uri killed 17 Indian soldiers.
Press Secretary Josh Earnest was asked about the White House assemsssment of the situation in the disputed territory in the wake of the Uri attack.
“I’ve seen some of the public reports about this incident. Obviously, the United States strongly condemns acts of terrorism around the world.
“And we have long urged India and Pakistan to find ways to resolve their differences not through violence but through diplomacy. And over the years, they’ve made some important progress in that pursuit, and we’re hopeful that they’ll be able to continue to make the kind of progress that will bring greater stability to what is a rather volatile region of the world,” President Barack Obama’s spokesman said.
Questioned about the U.S. outreach to Islamabad and New Delhi, Earnest said:
“I’m not aware of any specific conversations at the White House level. I can certainly tell you that the White House is aware of this incident. But for any contacts with either the Indian or Pakistani government, I’d refer you to the State Department.”
