(a) whether the U.S. has urged Pakistan to use its good offices for halting violence in Kashmir; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of Pakistan Government thereto?
(a) whether the U.S. has urged Pakistan to use its good offices for halting violence in Kashmir; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of Pakistan Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. The U.S. State Department spokesman stated on 24th January, in response to a question relating to Government`s initiative with regard to Jammu and Kashmir, that `we welcome the announcement by the Indian Cabinet...we believe that the peace process will be greatly enhanced if the Kashmiri militant groups responded positively to India`s announcement by taking steps to halt the violence`. In this context, he also stated that the Government of Pakistan ` should use its influence with the militant groups, to urge them to halt the violence`.
Pakistan`s sponsorship of cross-border terrorism in India, which is widely recognised by the international community, has continued unabated. Groups based in Pakistan and with close links to Pakistan`s intelligence agencies have escalated the level of violence in the recent past. Pakistan has not publicly condemned any of these acts.