- By Aalok Sensharma
- Fri, 09 Aug 2019 08:26 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Washington | Jagran News Desk: The United States on Friday announced that its policy on Kashmir has not changed and asked India and Pakistan to maintain calm and restraint.
Reporters on Friday asked State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus whether there has been any change on US’ stand on Kashmir to which she replied ‘No’.
The US’ policy on Kashmir is that it is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and it’s up to the two countries to ensure peace in the region.
"And if there was, I certainly wouldn't be announcing it here, but no, there's not," Ortagus said in response to a follow-up question.
However, Ortagus said that the US supports dialogue between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.
"It's something that we've called for calm and restraint by all parties. We want to main peace and stability, and we, of course, support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other issues of concern," she said.
India on Monday revoked Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Ortagus said the US was working closely with the two South Asian countries.
"We have a lot of engagement between India and Pakistan. Obviously, we just had Prime Minister Khan here, not just because of Kashmir. That's certainly an incredibly important issue and something that we follow closely. But we have a host of issues that we work with India on quite closely and that we work with Pakistan on quite closely," she said.
"I really don't want to go beyond what we've said because it's such a tenuous issue. It's something that we're talking to them about quite closely," said Ortagus while responding to a question on Pakistan PM Imran Khan's allegations of human rights violations in Kashmir
"The United States, whenever it comes to any region in the world where there are tensions, asks for people to observe the rule of law, respect for human rights, respect for international norms. We ask people to maintain peace and security and direct dialogue," she said.
She further said that the US was closely monitoring the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
"There are reports, as you've mentioned, of detentions and restrictions of residents in Jammu and in Kashmir. And again, that's why we continue to monitor this very, very closely," she said.
Ortagus reiterated earlier statements that the US was not consulted and informed by India about its decision on scrapping articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution.
"There was no heads up given," she said.
Successive US administrations' policy has been to encourage India and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue.
Meanwhile, after Acting Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells, another senior US diplomat is heading to India.
The visit was pre-scheduled but it would be used to discuss the current issues, Ortagus said.
"Deputy Secretary of State John J Sullivan will travel to Thimphu, Bhutan, and New Delhi, August 11 through 17th to advance the United States partnership with two nations that are critical to preserving the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region," she said.
In Bhutan, she said, Sullivan will explore expanding and deepening the ties with the government and people of Bhutan.
The deputy secretary will be the highest-level executive branch official from the United States to visit Bhutan in over two decades, Ortagus added.
She said Sullivan will then travel to New Delhi to advance the "broad and multifaceted" US-India Strategic Partnership, which is based on a shared commitment to democratic values, economic growth and rule of law.
"There, the deputy secretary will meet Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and address the India-US Forum," Ortagus said.
(with PTI inputs)