War of words: US urges India, Pak to 'take it easy'

Alarmed by a recent spate of threats and counter-threats exchanged between India and Pakistan, the United States has reportedly urged the two countries to ease tension and resume talks.

US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke told the two neighbours that the relationship between them was 'critical' to maintaining peace and stability in the South Asian region and added that Washington welcomed any measure that could reduce tension between India and Pakistan, reported the Dawn.

Rathke also said that the two countries had a mutual interest in addressing the threat posed by violent extremism and terrorism.

The tension between New Delhi and Islamabad spiked after India's cross-border strike June 9, targeting militants involved in the Manipur ambush. After the raids, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Colonel (retired) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had warned that the country could take similar actions against other countries which harboured 'terror intent' towards India.