US urges better dialogue between Pakistan and India

WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday said it encourages greater dialogue and counter-terrorism cooperation between Pakistan and India, urging Islamabad to do “the utmost to prevent terrorists from carrying out acts of terror”.

Responding to a question regarding Pakistan’s offer to India for talks and latter’s response, State Department Spokesman Mark Toner told media that the dialogue process between New Delhi and Islamabad is not only for the good of both the countries and the region but also for the benefit of the United States.

“It’s important that Pakistan do the utmost to prevent terrorists from carrying out acts of terror – not just in Pakistan, but elsewhere in the region,” he said, adding that the US would encourage any effort for greater collaboration and dialogue between Pakistan and India.

Pakistan's Foreign Office on Monday wrote a letter to formally invite India for talks on the Kashmir issue that has been the main bone of contention between two neighbours for decades. However India denied the offer stating the Kashmir was their internal issue.

According to the Foreign Office, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry had written a letter to his Indian counterpart and invited him to visit Pakistan for talks on Kashmir.

"The Foreign Secretary called in the Indian High Commissioner this afternoon (15 August 2016) and handed over a letter addressed to his Indian counterpart, inviting him to visit Pakistan for talks on Jammu and Kashmir dispute that has been the main bone of contention between India and Pakistan," the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control are protesting the Indian atrocities in the occupied territory.