The U.S. State Department said on Sunday Washington was in touch with both India and Pakistan while urging them to work towards what it called a "responsible solution" as tensions have risen between the two Asian nations following a recent Islamist militant attack in Kashmir.

As world powers face multiple crises, the one set off by a terror attack in Kashmir is getting scant attention or help in de-escalating between nuclear-armed neighbors.

Pakistan's leader said Saturday he was ready to defend the country after a deadly attack in Indian-run Kashmir that New Delhi blames on Islamabad, sending already fraught relations into a