The United States on Thursday reiterated that India is its world strategic companion, and in addition, it helps “constructive dialogue” between India and Pakistan to resolve long-standing disputes. Price, nonetheless, stated the choice is to be made by the 2 neighbouring international locations themselves.

“We support constructive dialogue. We support diplomacy between India and Pakistan to resolve long-standing disputes. We are a partner, and we are willing to support that process in any way that they deem appropriate,” US State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated at a press briefing.

“But ultimately, these are decisions that India and Pakistan themselves are going to have to make…It is not for the United States to determine the modalities or the way in which India and Pakistan engage one another,” stated Price stated.

Price’s assertion comes at the same time as Pakistan on Thursday determined to skip the assembly of chief justices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) scheduled in New Delhi from March 10-12.

Pakistan will the one nation which is able to skip the meet hosted.

On ties with India, Price the US’s message to India and about India is constant. “India is a global strategic partner of the US,” he stated whereas replying on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s latest go to to India and his viewers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The secretary did have an audience with the PM when he was in Delhi for G20. I am not in a position to detail what was exchanged between them,” stated Price.

Blinken was in India to participate within the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Raisina Dialogue.