'US need to convince India it can control ISI, militants'

Washington, Apr 7 (PTI) As he prepares to meet Indian
officials, a leading American think tank says US Special
Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke
has a tough task ahead to "convince" New Delhi that Washington
can keep Pakistan's ISI and militants under check.

Holbrooke, accompanied by US Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, will meet Indian officials
Wednesday in New Delhi to discuss how New Delhi could help in
US' efforts to end terror threat emanating from Pakistan.

"The Indians are well aware that the Pakistani ISI is
not prepared to cut ties with its array of militant proxies,
particularly those the ISI has cultivated to focus attacks on
India in the name of Kashmir," said Stratfor, the think tank,
in its comment.

As Washington needs Islamabad to focus on its western
border with Afghanistan, and not on India, the last thing the
US needs is for India and Pakistan to come to blows again.

"To dodge this outcome, Holbrooke and Mullen will have
to do their best to convince New Delhi that Washington can
keep the Pakistanis in check," it said.

"As the ISI tries to rein in those militant proxies
that have slipped from Islamabad's grasp, it will likely try
to regain their support by redirecting their attention away
from Pakistan and toward India, an enemy on which both
Islamabad and the militants can agree. As a result, it is
likely India will come under attack again," Stratfor warned.
PTI LKJ