The United States today blamed Pakistan for the escalation of tensions in the Indian subcontinent and asked Islamabad to take action against terror groups operating from its soil.
State Department Spokesman John Kirby said that terrorist attacks like the one on an Indian Army camp in Uri ‘escalates tensions’.
“Obviously, an (terrorist) attack like that (in Uri) escalates tensions. What I don't want to do is try to get into, you know, some sort of broad characterisation one way or the other but obviously an attack like this is horrific and...,” Kirby told reporters here yesterday.
The spokesperson was interrupted by a reporter mid-way that her question was about India's response to the September 18 Uri attack.
"But the Indian response is that -- is that the kind of escalation that Secretary Kerry was warning against?" the journalist asked referring to the telephonic conversation between the Secretary of State John Kerry and the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj earlier this week.
Kirby was quick to clarify that he was referring to the Uri terrorist attack.
"Oh, I thought you were talking about the Uri attack," the spokesman said.
On September 27, Kerry spoke with Swaraj. For technical reason, the conversation was spread over two separate calls.
"I can confirm for you that the secretary spoke with -- on the 27th, so earlier this week, with Indian External Affairs Minister Swaraj and reiterated his strong condemnation of the September 18 Uri attack," Kirby said.
"He condemned terrorism in all its forms and he cautioned against any escalation intentions," he said.
Responding to questions, Kirby called for de-escalation of tension between the two countries.
"We've seen those reports (of Indian surgical attack), we're following the situation closely as I think you can understand. We also understand that the Indian and Pakistani militaries have been in communication," he said.
"We believe that continued communication is obviously important to reduce tensions. We've repeatedly expressed our concerns regarding the danger that terrorism poses to the region and we all know that terrorism in many ways knows no border," Kirby said.
With PTI Inputs
