Washington/New Delhi, May 14 (Reporter) The US has welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and also urged both sides to “maintain direct communication” to preserve regional stability. US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas ‘Tommy’ Pigott said on Tuesday: “We also welcome the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif for choosing the path of peace. As President Trump said, their decision reflects strength, wisdom, and fortitude. We urge both sides to maintain direct communication to preserve regional stability.” Asked to react to India having refused any US effort to mediate between India and Pakistan, and how hopeful the US is on bringing the two sides together in the same room for talks, the spokesperson said: “Well, I’m not going to speculate on that. What I can say is that we encourage direct communication. "We have been clear on that. We continue to encourage that direct communication. The President has been clear on that. And the President, as I said, has also been clear in praising both prime ministers for choosing the path towards peace and the wisdom and fortitude that that shows.” Asked if the US has sent a team to Pakistan following reports that there have been leaks of nuclear radiation in some of the secure Pakistani sites, he declined to answer, with: “I have nothing to preview on that at this time.” Notably, the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday firmly stated that any issue pertaining to J&K would be discussed directly with Pakistan, and it would be regarding "the outstanding matter of the vacation of the illegally occupied territory of POJK"...////...