US aware of Indian spy’s arrest in Pakistan

Says it is looking into the matter; no change in Kashmir policy; urges Pakistan, India to resume talks

WASHINGTON: The State Department has said that it was aware of the arrest of an Indian spy in Pakistan and the matter is being looked into.

The department’s deputy spokesperson Mark Toner acknowledged having the information of the arrest but did not expand on the issue. “I am aware of the reports about the arrest, however, I don't have anything -- any details of the arrest,” he said addressing the daily briefing here.

Hours after the Pakistan India bilateral talks hit a halt, the department official once again asked both the countries to reduce tensions and resume the dialogue. “We believe and it’s been our longstanding position that India and Pakistan stand to benefit from the normalisation of relations and practical cooperation, and we encourage them to do so, to engage in direct dialogue that’s aimed at reducing tensions between the two governments and two countries,” Mark Toner said.

Answering a question, he said the Obama administration strongly supported any and all positive steps that India and Pakistan could take to forge closer relations. “We believe it will lead to greater stability and peace in the region and is to the benefit of both the countries,” he said.

Toner added that the US policy on Kashmir remained the same, which is that both sides needed to determine the “pace, scope and character of those discussions.” “Our policy regarding Kashmir has not changed. The pace, scope and character of those discussions or any discussions on Kashmir must be for the two sides to determine,” he said.