Pakistan urges US to play proactive role to defuse tensions with India

NEW YORK: Pakistan ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi has urged the US President-elect’s administration to play a proactive role in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan arising from unresolved Kashmir dispute.

Ms. Lodhi was taking part in a discussion at the platform of World Affairs Council said the situation in long standing dispute of Kashmir is once again inflamed and it poses a critical threat to regional peace and security.

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The relationship between Pakistan and United States are mired with uncertainty as President-elect Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated on January 20. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had a telephonic conversation with Trump on November 30 where both expressed a desire to work together.

Trump had also said that he is willing to a role to address and find solutions to all outstanding problems. Foreign Affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz has also urged Washington to play a role to ensure self-determination for the people of Kashmir.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence has also suggested that Kashmir is among the spots where Trump can deploy his “extraordinary dealmaking skills to bear on lessening tensions and solving problems in the world.”

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