'We support direct discussions but ...': What US said on India-Pakistan ties

NEW DELHI: The United States on Thursday expressed its support for direct discussions between India and Pakistan, emphasizing that the pace, scope, and character of these talks should be determined by the two neighboring countries themselves, rather than by the US.
This stance was reiterated by US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a press briefing.
Miller's remarks came in response to a question regarding Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's congratulatory message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on securing a third term.
"As we have said, we support direct discussions between India and Pakistan, but the pace, scope and character should be determined by those two countries, not by us," he said.

Apart from Shehbaz Sharif, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also congratulated PM Modi on assuming office for the third consecutive term.
Prime Minister Modi responded to both Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif, expressing his appreciation for their messages. He emphasized that the people of India have always stood for peace, security, and progressive ideas, and that advancing the well-being and security of the people shall always remain a priority for his government.
The congratulatory messages from the Pakistani leaders came after Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India for the third term on June 9. The swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan was attended by several foreign dignitaries, including the leaders of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh, and Seychelles.