US calls for ‘rapid action’ in Kashmir
NEW YORK: The US has called on India to take “rapid action” to lift restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir, release detained people and begin a political dialogue in the region, even as it asked Pakistan to make serious efforts to crack down on groups responsible for cross-border terror.
Briefing reporters on President Donald Trump’s meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan on the margins of the UN General Assembly meetings, the US administration’s point-person for South Asia, Alice Wells, said the world will benefit from “reduced tensions and increased dialogue between the two countries”.
“As President Trump emphasised, Prime Minister Modi made a commitment that the recent changes to the status of Kashmir will improve the lives of the Kashmiri people, and we look to him to uphold this promise,” said Wells, who made several references to India delivering on pledges to ease restrictions in Kashmir and resume political engagement.
India moved in August to nullify Article 370 of the Constitution, which conferred special status on Jammu and Kashmir, and decided to bifurcate the state into union territories of J&K and Ladakh. Restrictions on public movement and telecommunications imposed in the region have since been eased, but remain in force in some parts. Many mainstream and separatist politicians are under detention.
Modi laid out a plan for returning Kashmir to normalcy after August 5 and the US is interested in the “next steps in engagement” and hopes “to see rapid action in the lifting of the restrictions and in the release of those who have been detained”, she added.
While noting Khan’s concerns on the Kashmir issue, Wells made it clear the lowering of rhetoric would be welcome and Pakistan should show the “same level of concern...about Muslims who are being detained in western China, literally in concentration (camp) -like conditions”.
I would say US, Indian joint participation in Quad also demonstrates the strength of the Us-india relationship
ALICE WELLS, US diplomat