US delegation shows concern over LoC conflict

NEW DELHI: A visiting Congressional delegation Thursday expressed "serious concern" over firing across LoC and international border describing the incidents as significant "provocations at the border" and backing UNSG Ban Ki-moon's call for India and Pakistan to address the issue diplomatically and through dialogue.

Senator Tim Kaine, who heads a Senate foreign relations subcommittee, said Ban's call was appropriate and added that UN's role could be encouraged to resolve the issue.

"I'm heartened by Secretary General's comment. I have not gone into how deeply the UN needs to be engaged but as a promoter of peaceful resolution of disputes, its role should be encouraged," said Kaine, adding there was great concern over civilian deaths.

Accompanied by an independent senator from Maine, Angus King, Kaine is on a 5-day visit to India. Kaine also welcomed PM Narendra Modi's remark that everything was going to be fine, describing it as reassuring.

India has always maintained that J&K is a bilateral issue with no role for any third party but even on the on going ceasefire violations, it has ruled out any dialogue with Pakistan until the time Pakistan troops stop firing.

Kaine is chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on the Near East, South and Central Asian Affairs, overseeing American foreign policy in "this critical region, from Morocco to Bangladesh".

The two Senators had met NSA Ajit Doval on Wednesday to discuss security issues including the situation in Iraq. Kaine has taken up the issue of fresh US air strikes in Iraq with President Obama insisting that these must be authorized by the Congress through a vote.

"International border has to be respected. We are very troubled over the civilian deaths," Kaine said here.

Speaking about terror groups operating in the region, Kaine said US was concerned about all terrorism no matter where it originated from. "Certainly India is much more proximate to this threat then we are and that is why I think the relationship between India and Pakistan is one that they have to work out on their own. America is concerned about terrorism wherever it resides," King said.

The Senators said Modi's visit to the US was "very successful and welcomed his strong condemnation of terrorism, including the threat from ISIS.

http://ift.tt/1ribj4J conflict,US delegation,Senator Tim Kaine

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India’s mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.