Both India and Pakistan valuable partners and the two relationships stand on their own
WASHINGTON: The US offered unconditional support to Pakistan in its battle against the TTP and other similar groups. He hinted that US is closely following reports about militants seizing control of a counterterrorism center in Bannu. And added that defeating terrorism was a shared goal of both countries.
It also offered to assist India and Pakistan in resolving their differences, terming both as key global partners of USA. And added that America would like to continue ‘valuable partnerships’ with both.
US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price made these remarks at a news briefing, hours after Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari reached Washington for talks with US officials.
“We offer our deepest sympathies to those injured. We urge those responsible to cease all acts of violence, release the hostages and end the seizure of the counterterrorism centre.
“The government of Pakistan is a partner when it comes to these shared concerns. He referred to the challenge of terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, and the terrorist groups along the Afghan-Pakistan border. Price reiterated that we stand ready to assist, whether with this unfolding or other situations, while responding to a question about Monday’s takeover of a CTD centre in Bannu.
Responding to question about last week’s war of words between the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers Price said: “We have a global strategic partnership with India. I have just spoken to the depth of our partnership with Pakistan. The two relationships stand on their own. It’s not a zero-sum relationship.”
“As far as these disagreements are concerned, we have partnerships with both countries and that makes us not want to see wars of words between India and Pakistan. We would like to see constructive dialogue between India and Pakistan.”
The US sees the importance of maintaining these valuable partnerships with our Indian and our Pakistani friends. He added that US has a relationship in which “we can be friends with both”.
