WASHINGTON, 26 July 2021, (TON): The United States has and will always encourage India and Pakistan to work for a more stable relationship, says a senior US official as Secretary of State Antony Blinken leaves for his first visit to India and other destinations in South Asia and the Middle East.

Briefing journalists on the July 26-29 visit, Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Dean Thompson said “Mr Blinken would also discuss with his Indian partners various options for pursuing a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan.”

Mr Blinken is expected to visit Kabul as well, although the schedule of such visits to the Afghan capital are not announced for security reasons.

The top US diplomat is reaching New Delhi on July 28 for meetings with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss a wide range of issues, including India’s role in Afghanistan and its relations with Pakistan.

Asked to what extent would the current relationship between India and Pakistan figure in Secretary Blinken’s talks in New Delhi, Mr Thompson said: “We strongly believe that India and Pakistan’s issues are ones for them to work out between themselves” but he acknowledged that Washington would continue to encourage better ties between South Asia’s two nuclear-armed neighbours.

He said “we are pleased to see that the ceasefire that went into place earlier this year has remained intact, and we certainly always encourage them to continue their efforts to find ways to build a more stable relationship going forward.”