Pak would be subject of discussion during Clinton's visit: US

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Jul 16 (PTI) Given the current geo-political
situation in South Asia, a top Obama Administration official
on Thursday confirmed that Pakistan will figure in talks when
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets Indian leaders during
her upcoming visit to India.

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia
Robert Blake appreciated the recent meetings between the
leaders of India and Pakistan and identified it as a positive
development.

"I am sure that Pakistan will be a subject of discussion
during the meetings," Blake told reporters.

But Blake said there has already been quite a lot of
dialogue between India and Pakistan, including the recent
meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pak
President Asif Ali Zardari. The two sides also have had
meetings in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where the Non-Aligned
Summit is underway.

"The foreign secretaries -- both sides met on Tuesday, I
believe. And I think the Prime Ministers are scheduled to meet
Thursday. So I think there is already been good dialogue
underway and certainly we welcome that," Blake said.

He said from these meetings the US would like to see
greater understanding and progress particularly on the issue
of Pakistan moving forward with prosecution of those
responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

"There are some early indications in the Pakistani pre
that the chargesheets are going to be filed as early as next
week on that, which certainly would be a positive step
forward," he said.

Blake said this trip is focused on India to highlight the
new strategic partnership and people-to-people ties and by not
going to Pakistan on this trip, she is not trying to send any
signal at all.

"But that doesn't mean that we attach any less importance
to Pakistan and Afghanistan. There's already been extensive
high level engagement between the US and the leaders of both
of those countries," he said when asked why Clinton is not
going to Pakistan.

At a different event later in the day, Clinton announced
that she would be going to Pakistan in the fall.

US President Barack Obama recently hosted a trilateral
summit with his Pak and Afghan counterparts. "So we are not
trying to send any signal at all, except at this stage to talk
about our enhanced relationship with India. And I know that
the Secretary looks forward to an early opportunity to get out
to both Afghanistan and Pakistan," Blake said.

In response to a question, Blake said the recent military
action taken by Pak Army in Swat Valley have garnered the
support of the Pakistani people. "That support in turn will
help provide the basis for continued action to make sure that
Pakistani soil is not used as a platform from which terrorist
attacks can be launched against any of its neighbours," he
said. PTI LKJ
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