US says does not support independence for Balochistan

WASHINGTON: The US does not support independence for Balochistan and respects the unity and territorial integrity of Pakistan, a state department official has said following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks over the rights situation in the volatile region.

"The government policy is that we support the territorial integrity of Pakistan and we do not support independence for Balochistan," State Department Spokesman John Kirby told reporters at his daily news conference yesterday.

Kirby was responding to a question on growing clarion calls from both inside and outside Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on its independence and violation of human rights by the Pakistani security forces there.

"Where does the US stand on Balochistan? Because Indian Prime minister (Narendra Modi) has raised this subject," Kirby was asked.

"The US Government respects the unity and territorial integrity of Pakistan and we do not support independence for Balochistan," he reiterated.

In his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, Modi talked about the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit and Balochistan and said people from there have thanked him for raising their issues.