New Delhi: Joining the US and Britain, France and Japan on October 11 welcomed the completion of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir and expressed hope that there would now be a dialogue with all concerned parties for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Paris "welcomes the completion of elections in Jammu and Kashmir which were held, thanks to the determination and steps taken by the Indian government despite the difficult conditions", French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement released in New Delhi.

"This democratic consultation represents an important event. We hope that it will promote a dialogue with all parties concerned with the Kashmir situation and will thus contribute towards a peaceful solution to this crisis," the statement said.

It also "deplored and condemned" the acts of violence which took place during the past weeks and voiced "sincere condolences and sympathies" to the families of the victims.

Japan's foreign office press secretary said his country hoped that a dialogue between India and Pakistan would be resumed soon, following the completion of J&K polls and general elections in Pakistan.

Lauding the Election Commission and the voters for the polls despite a "number of terrorist disturbances", the Japanese statement said Tokyo "hopes that all parties concerned will make their efforts to promote peace and welfare of the people of Kashmir".

The US and Britain had welcomed the successful completion of J&K polls on October 10.

PTI