SRINAGAR: America has welcomed the steps taken by the Government of India to normalize the situation economically and politically in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Neid Price, a spokesman for the US State Department said that “America has been closely following the developments in Jammu and Kashmir”.
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Speaking to the press, Price said that ‘America’s policy regarding Kashmir has not changed.
He said, “In accordance with the democratic values of India, we welcome the steps taken by the central government to bring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir economically and politically.” The US government has also talked to India about this on a few occasions.”
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America has important relations not only with India but also with Pakistan. Regarding this, Price said that ‘these relations have been built on our own in our view’.
He said, “When it comes to India, we have a global comprehensive strategic partnership and we have talked about it. At the same time, when it comes to Pakistan, we have important common interests in that area and we will continue to work closely with Pakistani authorities on those common interests.”
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Price said that ‘America supports direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on issues including Kashmir.’
He said that ‘Of course, we have been talking about reducing tension on the Line of Control (LoC). We want things to be normal and return to the 2003 ceasefire. (PTK)