WASHINGTON: The United States has welcomed the upcoming talks between Pakistani and Indian prime ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, saying that peaceful ties between the two nuclear armed neighbors would benefit the region and also help Afghan stability.
The meeting between the two leaders – Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian premier Manmohan Singh – would be their first since the former swept to power in May this year, and it takes place in the backdrop of recent tensions along the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region.
At a press briefing, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins emphasized that peace is imperative between two South Asian nuclear powers.
Dobbins also underscored that Pakistan and India stand to gain economically from their improved relations.
The US special representative applauded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement‚ stressing that security of Pakistan and Afghanistan is interrelated.
Dobbins further said Pakistan has a majority Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in Islamabad with a stronger mandate which is capable of delivering and being a good partner.
