Washington: The United States has expressed serious concern over the conventional conflict between India and Pakistan saying it can escalate to include nuclear use.
"We are concerned by nuclear and missile developments in South Asia," a State Department spokesperson said here on Tuesday.
The spokesperson also called for a sustained and resilient dialogue process between the two neighbouring countries to boost regional peace.
The reaction came in the backdrop of the recent statement by father of Pakistan's nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan (80) that Islamabad has the ability to target New Delhi in just 5 minutes.
"We are concerned by the increased security challenges that accompany growing stockpiles and the increased risk that a conventional conflict between India and Pakistan could escalate to include nuclear use. It is important that there be a sustained and resilient dialogue process between the two neighbours, and that all parties in the region continuously act with maximum restraint and work collaboratively toward reducing tensions," the spokesperson said.
Improvements in Indo-Pak bilateral relations would greatly enhance prospects for lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the region, the official said.
US had in past asked both India and Pakistan to make progress in reducing their nuclear arsenal and develop military doctrines so that they do not continually move in the wrong direction.
Looking forward to PM Modi’s visit: US
Meanwhile, the State Department said that it is looking forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US.
"We look forward to the Prime Minister's visit and we want it to be successful," State Department John Kirby told reporters at his daily news conference.
Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from June 4 which will cover Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico.
He will travel to the US on June 7 at the invitation of US President Barack Obama, with whom he will review the progress made in key areas of defence, security and energy, and will also address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress.
With PTI Inputs
