From Lalit K Jha Washington, Jan 9 (PTI) Concerned over the increasing tension between India and Pakistan over the brutal killing of two Indian soldiers, the US has instructed its envoys in New Delhi and Islamabad to work with the two governments to de-escalate the situation. "Obviously, she (US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) talked to our South Asia people about it yesterday and today. She has instructed our ambassadors to work with those governments, which they are doing," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters. "There were calls made at the ambassadorial level in both countries," Nuland said, as she urged for calm between the two countries. "We are concerned about reports of violence along the Line of Control in Kashmir. It's our understanding that the governments of India and Pakistan are now talking and trying to work through these issues at a high level," Nuland told reporters. "We're urging both sides to take steps to end the violence. We continue to strongly support any efforts to improve relations between the two countries. We've also discussed these latest incidents with both governments, urged them to talk to each other and urged calm," she said. The US is counseling both countries to work to de-escalate tension. "We have been counseling both governments to de-escalate, to work through this issue, to continue the consultations between them at a high level that we understand are ongoing now. Violence is not the answer for either country," Nuland said. Responding to a question, Nuland said that the US favours that the two countries should talk to each other to resolve their issues and reiterated the UN position, saying that the Washington would support any UN role if both the countries agree. MORE PTI LKJ ASK ASK
