ISLAMABAD (PEN) : On Thursday, the United States reiterated its stance supporting direct engagement between India and Pakistan but emphasized it would not dictate the terms of those discussions. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller made these remarks in response to questions regarding recent diplomatic interactions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Miller stated that the U.S. values its relationships with both India and Pakistan and expressed support for direct dialogue between the two nations. He emphasized that the specifics of these discussions, including their pace, scope, and nature, should be decided by India and Pakistan themselves, without external interference.
Regarding counterterrorism, Miller highlighted the shared interest between the U.S. and Pakistan in combating regional security threats. He mentioned ongoing partnerships and dialogues focused on counterterrorism efforts, including various capacity-building programs and military engagements between the two countries. Miller affirmed that the U.S. remains engaged with Pakistani leaders to address regional security concerns, emphasizing regular communications and annual dialogues dedicated to counterterrorism and bilateral consultations.
Overall, the U.S. position underscores support for India-Pakistan dialogue while respecting their sovereignty in determining the terms and pace of engagement, and maintaining robust counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan.
