US, EU Back 'Bilateral Solution' On Kashmir, Other Issues Between India & Pakistan

The United States and the European Union have backed bilateral solutions between India and Pakistan after latter decided to downgrade ties with India.

Reiterating that President Donald Trump and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are frustrated with the lack of balance and reciprocity from India when it comes to trade and tariff, a top Administration official has said that the new round of discussion between the two countries is not open-ended and the US wants things to move quickly.

New Delhi: The United States has urged for calm and restraint along the Line of Control and has said that it will continue to support “direct dialogue” between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other issues of concern, a State Department official has said. The US is also "closely following" India's legislation regarding the new territorial status and governance of Jammu and Kashmir and its broader implications, the official said on Wednesday. The European Union also on Thursday expressed support to a bilateral political solution between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, saying this "remains the only way to solve a long-lasting dispute that causes instability and insecurity in the region." A High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, released a statement after speaking on phone with Minister of External Affairs of India S. Jaishankar and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi. In both telephone calls, Mogherini said she underlined the importance of avoiding an escalation of tensions in Kashmir and the region. "To this end, dialogue between India and Pakistan through diplomatic channels is crucial," stressed the EU foreign policy chief. The Parliament on Tuesday approved a resolution abrogating special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and a bill for splitting the state into two Union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Reacting to India's move, Pakistan expelled the Indian envoy and downgraded its diplomatic ties with New Delhi. (With inputs from agencies)