US applauds Modi-Sharif meeting but 'cautiously hopeful'

The official was referring to the series of peace initiatives launched by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Delhi-Lahore bus initiative being one of them.  Another senior official said the White House has seen a constructive tone set from the very beginning by Modi and by Sharif, who was one of the first leaders to speak to the Indian Prime Minister after his victory in the elections.  

“He travelled to India for the inauguration, was able to see Prime Minister Modi there. We always encourage India and Pakistan to pursue dialogue that can reduce tension. We believe that that is in the interest of the entire region.  And so we'll continue to encourage that,” the official said.  

“So with that new leadership in India, the new leadership in Pakistan, and the new President coming to office in Afghanistan this year, I think we have an opportunity to have that discussion about how all the countries in the region can provide for a greater stability and security. And that's certainly something we're going to pursue,” the official said.  Meanwhile, the State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki applauded the Modi-Sharif meeting.