Highlights 1 We encourage India, Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue to reduce tension: US2 We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation: US3 Tension is running high again between India and Pakistan over Kulbhushan JadhavThe US urged India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue to reduce tension as they faced-off at the International Court of Justice over the the death penalty given to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. "We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation," a State Department spokesperson told PTI. When asked about the US stand on the case of Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer who is facing the death penalty in Pakistan, the official said, "We encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tension." On May 8, India moved the ICJ against the death penalty, alleging Pakistan violated the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by repeatedly denying it consular access to Jadhav. Also read: How India argued against Pakistan for Kulbhushan Jadhav at International Court of JusticeAlso read: ICJ denies Pakistan permission to play Kulbhushan Jadhav 'video confession'WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Source: India Today May 15, 2017 17:54 UTC