Washington: United States has dismissed
Pakistani perceptions that it was propping India, saying that
New Delhi "did not need us for that purpose" and has advocated
that the two neighbours resolve their differences bilaterally.
"I would tell you that the United States clearly has
not or has ever propped up India. India has not needed us for
that purpose and, in fact, those familiar with the history
would know that our relationship with India was fairly
strained until not too many years ago," Defence Secretary
Robert Gates has said.
Gates comments came in response to questions fired at
him during his recent visit to Pakistan, full transcript of
which have released by the Pentagon.
In his exchanges with Indian and Pakistani leaders,
Gates said both the countries had said they would like to
resolve the differences bilaterally.
"Having an open and candid and completely transparent
dialogue... seems to be the best way to avoid
misunderstanding," Gates said in key remarks as New Delhi and
Islamabad are set to resume their stalled bilateral talks.
He said there were misgivings both in Islamabad and
New Delhi on the role the two countries were playing in
Afghanistan and it was essential that in any future dialogue
such a misunderstanding should be cleared.
He also suggested that India and Pakistan could deal
with the suspicions through back channel discussions.
PTI
