US says it supports Pakistan-India diplomacy to resolve disputes

The United States has said that Washington supports “constructive dialogue” between Pakistan and Indian to resolve long-standing disputes, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday. 

Addressing a news briefing in Washington on Thursday, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price, however, said the decision to hold talks is to be made by the two neighbouring countries themselves. “We support constructive dialogue. We support diplomacy between India and Pakistan to resolve long-standing disputes. We are a partner, and we are willing to support that process in any way that they deem appropriate,” he added.

“But ultimately, these are decisions that India and Pakistan themselves are going to have to make...It is not for the United States to determine the modalities or the way in which India and Pakistan engage one another,” said Price.

Responding to a question, Ned Price said the United States has encouraged Pakistan to continue working with the IMF to improve the cash-strapped country's economy and the business environment to "unlock" the much-needed funds from the global lender. He said that the US is working with Pakistani partners and, in turn, it is working with international financial institutions, the IMF, to put itself on a sustainable growth path.
“Ultimately, it is going to have to be decisions on the part of our Pakistani counterparts to unlock this IMF funding. We encourage Pakistan to continue working with the IMF, especially on reforms that will improve Pakistan's business environment,” Price said. “We believe that it will make Pakistani business more competitive, and will attract high-quality investment,” he said.

“They improve the competitiveness of partnering Pakistani firms, fuelling economic growth that increases employment and household incomes. We believe that by continuing down this path and continuing to make the necessary economic decisions, Pakistan can put itself on a path to sustainable growth,” Price said in response to a question.

"When it comes to economic challenges, when it comes to security challenges, when it comes to political challenges, the United States is ready and able to continue to be a partner to the people of Pakistan," he added.

Offering condolences over the recent life lost in clashes in Pakistan, Ned Price said that the US is aware of reports about clashes in Lahore, ahead of a planned rally by former prime minister Imran Khan and it encouraged all to exhibit restraint. “We encourage all to exhibit restraints. We offer our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to those who are injured in this,” he said.

“We have been there for Pakistan since its independence. We seek a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Pakistan,” Ned Price said. “We know that the Pakistani people are facing tremendous hardship, including economic hardship.”

The United States, he said, would “continue to look for ways in which we can support the Pakistani people to rebuild and to deepen the economic partnership that has existed with the United States over the course of decades now”.