Relations with Pakistan will not be at India’s expense: Burns
June 2nd, 2010 - 12:42 pm ICT by ANIBy Asif Ismail
Washington, June 2 (ANI): US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William J Burns has said that while Washington continues to attach considerable importance to its relations with Pakistan, those relations will not flower at the expense of India.
“We refuse to accept the notion that somehow we can have strong relations with only one country in South Asia at a time. We do not see relations in Asia as a zero-sum game. Instead, we attach great significance to India’s expanding role in East Asia, and welcome our partnership across the region,” said Burns ahead of the first US-India Strategic Dialogue that is being held here from June 3.
“We have an interest in better relations between India and Pakistan, but we will not inject ourselves into issues that divide the two governments unless India and Pakistan ask for our help, and we will continue to urge Pakistan to take decisive action against the violent extremists who threaten its own interests as much as they do the security of India and America,” he added.”To put it simply, the only “hyphen” that we will pursue with respect to our relationship is the one that links the United States and India,” Burns said.
He also said that Washington highly values India’s role in building economic and social opportunities in Afghanistan, and see India’s continued involvement there as a key part of that country’s future success, not part of its present problems. (ANI)
- US makes strong pitch for F-35 fighter jets to India - Nov 03, 2011
- India, Pak can't afford to let 'global terror outfit' LeT continue unchecked: US - Jun 02, 2010
- US backs constructive India-Afghanistan ties - Oct 18, 2011
- Strategic Dialogue: Obama administration to put effort into wooing India - Jun 03, 2010
- Ties with India, China no zero-sum game: US - Feb 04, 2012
- US asks Pakistan to act against LeT, other anti-India groups - Jun 02, 2010
- US denies India tilt, asks Pakistan to tackle Haqqani Network - Sep 28, 2011
- Strategic talks with Pakistan not at India's expense: US - Mar 24, 2010
- For Pakistan, India-US ties a zero sum game: Clinton - Jun 24, 2011
- US Defence Secretary to visit India in June - May 23, 2012
- Boeing deal reflects growing military ties with India: US - Jun 08, 2011
- US ranks India among top global partners (Lead) - Jun 02, 2010
- US committed to India's emergence as global power: Burns - Jun 02, 2010
- 'US pressing Pakistan to act against anti-India terror groups' - Jun 08, 2010
- US has no choice but to "stay engaged" with ISI despite reservations : Mullen - Jul 23, 2010
Tags: afghanistan, decisive action, dialogue, east asia, extremists, flower, governments, hyphen, india and pakistan, ismail, j burns, june 3, notion, partnership, political affairs, relationship, secretary of state, social opportunities, South Asia, zero sum game