US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland. — Photo by Reuters

WASHINGTON: The United States has welcomed Pakistan’s decision to calmly resolve the issue over an Indian military helicopter’s violation of Pakistani airspace, saying improved dialogue between the two South Asian countries helped them avert an incident.

A military chopper carrying Indian officers violated Pakistani airspace on Sunday and was forced to land inside Pakistani territory, miles away from the UN-monitored Line of Control in Kashmir. But Pakistani authorities resolved the issue in a peaceful manner, allowing the helicopter and the military officers to return to their base after sometime.

State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland noted at the daily briefing that it was “very, very important” that such incidents were prevented from happening.

“My understanding is this was actually, as these things go, a relatively good news story, that as a result of the increased dialogue between India and Pakistan and the fact that they have re-established some hotlines and emergency procedures, they were able to speak directly, thereby avoiding an incident,” the spokesperson said in response to a question.

“So that’s a very, very good step, and the kind of step and the kind of progress we hope to see continue,” Nuland added.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was expected to testify before Congress on Thursday on her recent visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“She’s testifying on Afghanistan and Pakistan, so I think you’ll hear her strike many of the themes that she struck on her recent trip and report to the Congress on that trip and on the road forward,” Nuland said.