China, US urge India, Pakistan to resolve differences

China and United States on Wednesday called on Pakistan and India to solve their differences over Kashmir, as tensions mount between the nuclear-armed neighbours after an attack on an Indian military base in the occupied Kashmir.

“China hopes that Pakistan and India will strengthen channels for dialogue, appropriately handle any differences, improve bilateral relations and together protect the region’s peace and stability,” a deputy foreign minister told special envoys to China for Kashmir, according to the foreign ministry website.

Deputy Minister Liu Zhenmin also told the envoys that China values Pakistan’s position on Kashmir.

Meanwhile, in a press briefing by the White House, Press Secretary Josh Earnest urged India and Pakistan to “resolve the differences peacefully and through diplomacy”. When asked about what does the US think of the current situation in the region, now that “India has pulled out from regional SAARC summit in Islamabad later this year”, Earnest said: “The United States has continued to encourage India and Pakistan to find a way to resolve their differences peacefully and through diplomacy. And we have condemned violence, particularly terrorist attacks.

“We continue to be hopeful and encouraging of both sides to try to find a way to resolve their differences and to reduce their tensions through diplomacy and without resorting to more violence.”