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Indo-Pak relationship critical issue for US
Islamabad, June 29: Saying that the present Indo-Pak peace process demonstrated `real commitment` by the leadership of both the countries, the US has promised to stay engaged in the region as peace between the two nations has become a `critical issue` for it.
Islamabad, June 29: Saying that the present Indo-Pak peace process demonstrated "real commitment" by the leadership of both the countries, the US has promised to stay engaged in
the region as peace between the two nations has become a "critical issue" for it.
The Bush administration regards "the difficult
relationship" between India and Pakistan as "a critical issue
for the United States," US Assistant Secretary of State
Christina Rocca was quoted as saying in the media here.
"Progress in resolving these long-standing differences will inevitably be slow, but ... the initiatives we are witnessing now represent a real commitment by India and Pakistan to continue and build on this process," local daily 'Dawn' quoted her as saying in Washington.
Stating that the US would reinforce the commitment by Pakistan and India to achieve a resolution of their differences, including Kashmir, Rocca said "there is no more difficult challenge in South Asia, but it is one we will not walk away from".
The Indian and Pakistani leaders had taken several "courageous initiatives" leading to a very "positive movement" in their otherwise thorny relations, she added.
Referring to the current visit of President Pervez Musharraf to US, Rocca said Washington considered him as close friend for assisting US efforts to build stable Afghanistan and to fight against extremism and terrorism.
"Most importantly, President Musharraf was welcomed to the US as a close friend. President bush's invitation to President Musharraf to meet with him at the presidential retreat at Camp David on Tuesday is recognition of this friendship," she said.
However, the focus of Musharraf's visit was to look beyond the war on terrorism and address the immediate concerns to build long term US-Pakistan relations, Rocca said.
At the centre of the effort between US and Pakistan, she said was to build a "strong, long-term, reinvigorated relationship is a substantial programme of economic and security assistance".
She said the 1.5 billion dollar assistance package proposed by President George W Bush for the Pakistan defence sector shows that Washington was prepared to enter a long-term programme to enhance the country's security.
Rocca said both Washington and Islamabad would work together over the next several years to improve the quality of life in Pakistan by improving economic performance and encourage US business to invest in the country.
Moreover, efforts would be made to strengthen democratic institutions in Pakistan and restoration of civilian rule, she said adding accountability and good government were essential for Pakistan to emerge as a democratic and moderate Muslim nation, an example to the Muslim world.
Efforts would also be made to strengthen Pakistan's legal system to allow quick, sure and accessible justice to all Pakistanis. Bureau Report
"Progress in resolving these long-standing differences will inevitably be slow, but ... the initiatives we are witnessing now represent a real commitment by India and Pakistan to continue and build on this process," local daily 'Dawn' quoted her as saying in Washington.
Stating that the US would reinforce the commitment by Pakistan and India to achieve a resolution of their differences, including Kashmir, Rocca said "there is no more difficult challenge in South Asia, but it is one we will not walk away from".
The Indian and Pakistani leaders had taken several "courageous initiatives" leading to a very "positive movement" in their otherwise thorny relations, she added.
Referring to the current visit of President Pervez Musharraf to US, Rocca said Washington considered him as close friend for assisting US efforts to build stable Afghanistan and to fight against extremism and terrorism.
"Most importantly, President Musharraf was welcomed to the US as a close friend. President bush's invitation to President Musharraf to meet with him at the presidential retreat at Camp David on Tuesday is recognition of this friendship," she said.
However, the focus of Musharraf's visit was to look beyond the war on terrorism and address the immediate concerns to build long term US-Pakistan relations, Rocca said.
At the centre of the effort between US and Pakistan, she said was to build a "strong, long-term, reinvigorated relationship is a substantial programme of economic and security assistance".
She said the 1.5 billion dollar assistance package proposed by President George W Bush for the Pakistan defence sector shows that Washington was prepared to enter a long-term programme to enhance the country's security.
Rocca said both Washington and Islamabad would work together over the next several years to improve the quality of life in Pakistan by improving economic performance and encourage US business to invest in the country.
Moreover, efforts would be made to strengthen democratic institutions in Pakistan and restoration of civilian rule, she said adding accountability and good government were essential for Pakistan to emerge as a democratic and moderate Muslim nation, an example to the Muslim world.
Efforts would also be made to strengthen Pakistan's legal system to allow quick, sure and accessible justice to all Pakistanis. Bureau Report