It is for India and Pakistan to resolve differences: John Kirby

The United States has put the onus on India and Pakistan to work out their differences through talks after the two neighbours expelled a diplomat each from the other country amid escalating tensions.

"We've seen the reports of these decisions. These are sovereign decisions that nation-states make, and these are issues that we're going to leave to India and Pakistan to work out," State Department Spokesman John Kirby told reporters at his daily news conference yesterday.

Amid growing strain in relations, India and Pakistan declared a staffer each at their High Commissions in New Delhi and Islamabad 'persona non-grata' and sought their recall in tit-for-tat action after Indian police busted an ISI-run spy ring involving an employee of the Pakistani mission.

"These are issues that we believe India and Pakistan need to discuss, need to talk about, need to work out between themselves," Kirby said.