SUNDAY TIMES WEB DESK:Pakistani Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan said the United States should have pinned blame on India.

“It is construed and understood as an endorsement of the Indian position and that is what emboldened them even more,” Khan told reporters when asked about the US statement. Escalation between the neighbouring countries had greatly increased, he maintained.

But Khan said that Pakistan was eager for greater US diplomacy between Islamabad and New Delhi.

“There is perhaps no other country better placed than the United States to be able to play some role,” he said, pointing to the US relationship with both countries.

He said Pakistan wanted to hold talks with India.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered the armed forces to counter the Indian forces’ aggression,” he said.