Provocative remarks detrimental to Indo-Pak ties: US

Washington: Amid reports of provocative remarks against India by Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, the US has said such rhetorics are “unhelpful” for regional safety and security and emphasised the need for talks between India and Pakistan.

“What I would say is I have seen reports, and anything that does not lead to a calm and peaceful and moderate resolution of differences is not helpful,” the State Department Spokesperson, Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters during her daily news conference.

“We believe that for regional safety and security, it is the responsibility of the two countries not only to speak directly to each other but also to have that support within the broader international community,” Trudeau said.

She was responding to questions on reports that Salahuddin threatened to wage a nuclear war against India over the Kashmir issue.

“I am not going to respond to every piece of rhetoric that I have seen coming out of that. Of course violence is a concern to us, but what I would say is that issues like this are best resolved through dialogue between those countries,” Trudeau said.

Asked about the yesterday’s terror attack in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province in which 75 people were killed, he said the US stands with Pakistan in the fight against terror and reminded Islamabad of its commitment to go after all terrorist groups.

“What I will say is that Pakistan has said that they will go after all terrorists regardless of affiliation. I don’t want to politicise this terror attack. This is reprehensible. What I will say is that we stand with Pakistan as they move forward on this fight against terror,” Trudeau said.

PTI