WASHINGTON, Jan 8: The United States has urged India and Pakistan to take steps to end exchanges of fire across the Line of Control and to resume trade and travel across the disputed land.

At a briefing at the State Department, spokesperson Victoria Nuland also emphasised the need for the two neighbouring states to continue to engage each other positively and also to work on issues related to the Kashmir dispute.

“We have consistently supported attempts between India and Pakistan to find a positive way forward between them and to work on issues of Kashmir,” said Ms Nuland when asked to comment on the latest exchanges of fire in the disputed territory.

“We are concerned about any reports of violence along the Line of Control in Kashmir. We urge both sides to take steps to end exchanges of fire and to resume normal trade and travel across the Line of Control,” she said.