The United States has asked New Delhi to ease restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior official said after President Donald Trump met the leaders of India and Pakistan.
"We hope to see rapid action—the lifting of the restrictions and the release of those who have been detained," Alice Wells, the top State Department official for South Asia, told reporters.
On Tuesday, after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump had distanced himself from any mediation between India and Pakistan, while calling on both Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to work out on a solution for the issue.
“These two gentlemen [Modi and Khan] will get together and work out something,” said the president. Trump's comment came a day after he met Khan on Monday and offered to mediate on the Kashmir issue.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours spiked after India abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
Wells said, "The United States is concerned by widespread detentions, including those of politicians and business leaders, and the restrictions on the residents of Jammu and Kashmir," she said.
"We look forward to the Indian government's resumption of political engagement with local leaders and the scheduling of the promised elections at the earliest opportunity," she said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August revoked the autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir. Indian authorities detained a wide range of political leaders and snapped off cellular and internet service for ordinary people in much of the Himalayan region.
Wells said the United States has raised concerns on Kashmir "at the highest levels," without saying if Trump brought up Kashmir with Modi.
Trump on Sunday joined Modi in a joint rally of more than 50,000 Indian-Americans in Houston, with the two heaping praise on each other.
Trump also heard concerns on Kashmir from Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan.
-Inputs from PTI
