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Relationships with India, Pakistan stand on their own: US
* Spokesperson says Washington will continue to have close strategic partnership with Islamabad * Pakistan, India should enter into dialogue on Kashmir issue
APP
WASHINGTON: The United States has strong relationships with both Pakistan and India and going forward Washington would continue to have a close strategic partnership with Islamabad, the State Department said Friday.
“We have assured both countries that the Untied States relationship with India and United States relationship with Pakistan, those relationships are strong, they are vital for our strategic interest, and they stand on their own,” Spokesperson Jen Psaki said replying to a question at the daily briefing. “We work with Pakistan on a range of issues. We work with India on a range of issues,” she added, when asked about Washington’s ties in South Asia in the wake of President Barak Obama’s visit to New Delhi. Responding to a question about Pakistan’s concerns regarding the impact of operationalization of the U.S.-India civil nuclear deal on the strategic stability in the region, the spokesperson noted that “this particular issue (of civil nuclear deal) is one that has been ongoing for sometime.”
“But we certainly have reiterated our strong commitment to strategic relationship with Pakistan. As you know, Secretary (of State John Kerry) was there just a couple of weeks ago, visiting and reiterating our commitment (to close ties).” Speaking in the backdrop of continued Pakistan-India tensions and shelling in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region and across the working boundary, the spokesperson echoed Washington’s call for the two South Asian nuclear countries to enter into a dialogue for peaceful resolution to issues. “We encourage dialogue between India and Pakistan,” and obviously the scope and scale of the process is for the two countries to determine, she said. Regarding fears that freeing up nuclear material from the operationalization of U.S.-India civilian nuclear projects could kick up a new arms race in the region, she said there are a range of requirements in the nuclear deal and a range of factors are factored into this aspect.
Separately, the United States Mission in Pakistan and the European Union on Friday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on innocent people at an imambargah in Shikarpur. In a statement issued here, the Mission extended its deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims. “The United States stands in solidarity with the people and Government of Pakistan in confronting this type of extremist violence,” it said. The United States supports the right of every person to practice their religion without fear of intimidation, death, coercion, or any form of reprisal - this is a basic human right, both in Pakistan and throughout the world, the statement added. The European Union (EU) also strongly condemned the terrorist attack. In a statement the EU said, “Our thoughts are with the families of the innocent civilians killed and injured.” EU said that it is fully committed to tackle the threat posed by terrorism.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk