The United States and China on Wednesday called on Pakistan and India to peacefully resolve their differences over Kashmir. There has been tension between both nations after an attack on an Indian military base in Uri left 18 Indian soldiers dead.

"The United States has continued to encourage India and Pakistan to find a way to resolve their differences peacefully and through diplomacy. And we have condemned violence, particularly terrorist attacks." Press Secretary Josh Earnest said during a news briefing at White House.

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Earnest added that America is hopeful that both countries will find a way to resolve their differences "through diplomacy and without resorting to violence."

He made the statement in response to a question about India's recent decision to pull out of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit that is scheduled to be held in Islamabad later this year. India's decision to withdraw from the South Asian regional summit is seen as a diplomatic tactic to isolate Pakistan.

Meanwhile, China has backed America's stance that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their differences on Kashmir peacefully.

Beijing "hopes that Pakistan and India will strengthen channels for dialogue, appropriately handle any differences, improve bilateral relations and together protect the region's peace and stability," China's Deputy Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told Pakistan's special envoys to China for Kashmir.

China's position on Kashmir has flip-flopped over last the few days. Last week, an article in a leading Pakistani newspaper claimed a top Chinese diplomat said that Beijing completely supports Pakistan's stance on Kashmir.

The article quoted the diplomat saying "We're and will be siding with Pakistan on Kashmir issue...There is no justification for atrocities on unarmed Kashmiris in...[India-] held Kashmir and the Kashmir dispute should be solved in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiris."

However, China, on Monday, said that it is not aware of any such comments made by any Chinese diplomat, adding that the Kashmir dispute is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.

The Kashmir issue has been a bone of contention between the two countries ever since British India was spilt on religious lines in 1947.  Both countries have fought three wars over the region.

With both countries in possession of nuclear weapons, Kashmir is widely considered as a nuclear flash point.

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