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US for dialogue between India, Pakistan to ease tensions
The US on Wednesday said it wanted India and Pakistan to improve cooperation and communication between them to ease tensions and fight against the common threat of extremism.
The US on Wednesday said it wanted India and Pakistan to improve cooperation and communication between them to ease tensions and fight against the common threat of extremism.
“We continue to want to see dialogue and discussion between India and Pakistan to improve cooperation, to improve communication, and improve shared efforts against a common threat,” state department spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at his daily news conference.
“We have talked about the threat of extremism there in the region. It affects everybody on both sides,” he said in response to a question.
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There has been increased volatility along the Line of Control — the de facto border — since a terror attack on an Indian Army base at Uri. India subsequently responded with what the government termed “surgical strikes”, which Pakistan denied ever took place.
According to the multi agency centre (MAC) — which collates inputs from the army, paramilitary forces and the intelligence agencies — at least 75 militants have entered the state as compared to 30 in 2015.
Even according to the figures tabled by MoS (Home) Hansraj Ahir in the Rajya Sabha, there were 90 such attempts in the first six months of 2016, of which 54 were successful. Since July 15, the Army has foiled at least 14 such attempts. In comparison, 2015 saw 31 successful attempts.
