US urges Pakistan, India to engage in direct dialogue

The United States has urged Pakistan and India to engage in dialogue after the Pakistani envoy in New Delhi Abdul Basit suggested that talks between the two nuclear-armed neighbours are suspended at the moment.

US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said Washington will continue to press Islamabad and New Delhi to normalise their ties though direct talks, reports Dawn.

Toner said both the countries India and Pakistan stand to benefit from the normalisation of relations and practical cooperation.

'These efforts will lead to greater stability and peace in the region and is to the benefit of both countries', Toner added.

Toner further said Washington did not want to comment on the Panama Papers hitting headlines around the world.

Few days earlier at an event in New Delhi, Pakistan's high commissioner in India said the bilateral dialogue process between the neighbours appeared suspended for the time being.