Thaindian News

Washington, July 8 (ANI): The United States has said that India has been the biggest sufferer of terrorism, and that it sincerely wants to help New Delhi overcome the crises and stabilize the region.

Inaugurating a confirmation hearing for Timothy Roemer, who has been nominated as new US Ambassador to India, Democrat Senator John Kerry pointed out that militancy has affected India more than any other country, and that the United States sincerely wants to help India to address the menace.

“There are many areas where we can make real progress. First, we have to help India to break with the perilous politics of South Asia’s past. India needs no lectures: virtually no nation has suffered more from terrorism than India,” said Kerry.

Describing South Asia as ‘a volatile nuclear flashpoint’, Kerry, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, emphasized that India need not worry about the enhanced US aid to Pakistan as the assistance was in India’s interest as well.

“The Senate has passed legislation, which Senator Richard Lugar and I sponsored, to recast our relationship with Pakistan. This will help us to secure not only the long-term safety not only of the US and Pakistan but of India as well,” The Nation quoted Kerry, as saying.

Speaking on the occasion, Roemer stressed that the United States needs to carry on its support for the resumption of the Indo-Pak dialogue, which was very important for the region’s stability, and that Pakistan must take concrete steps to counter the terror threat.

“On Pakistan, we need to continue to support improvement in the overall India-Pakistan relationship, including resumption of a dialogue process that will address issues vital to each country while still ensuring that Pakistan takes concrete steps to address the threat of terrorism,” said Roemer.

“On the regional front, we will work closely with India to promote stability, prosperity and development in the often volatile region of South Asia,” he added.

(ANI)