U.S. Remains Silent on Pakistan’s Anti-Terror Commitments During Diplomatic Visit
The U.S. has not confirmed any Pakistani pledges on counterterrorism during a recent visit by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, with State Department comments remaining non-committal. Discussions during the high-level meeting included bilateral cooperation and ongoing regional ceasefire efforts, yet no new commitments from Pakistan were noted. This uncertainty impacts the broader dynamics of U.S.-India relations.
The United States has notably refrained from commenting on whether Pakistan provided any assurances about combating terrorism during a recent visit from a Pakistani parliamentary delegation led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce responded evasively to inquiries, stating, “I am not going to discuss the details of those conversations,” when asked if Washington had received any commitments from Islamabad regarding counterterrorism efforts.
During last week’s meetings, the Pakistani delegation conferred with numerous senior U.S. officials, including Undersecretary for Political Affairs Alison Hooker. According to Ms. Bruce, their talks primarily addressed significant topics related to their bilateral relationship, particularly on counterterrorism cooperation. Hooker also expressed the United States’ support for the ongoing ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
While the U.S. underscored the necessity of stability in the region, no concrete indication emerged suggesting that Pakistan had committed to taking action against the terrorist groups operating from within its borders. This matter remains a pivotal issue for U.S.-India relations. Separately, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with an Indian parliamentary group led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, reiterating America’s robust support for its strategic partner’s efforts against terrorism.
Bruce took a cautious stance when questioned about the prospects of any follow-ups to President Donald Trump’s previous offer of mediation to resolve disputes between India and Pakistan after the ceasefire announcement. She emphasized that she cannot speak for the president or predict future plans of the administration. “What I do know… is that President Trump, in each step that he takes, it’s made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war,” she articulated.
Ms. Bruce commended Trump’s ability to bring together unlikely partners for negotiations but did not expand on any mediation plans specific to Kashmir. “You can call the White House… they would have plenty to say,” she remarked vaguely, leaving many questions unanswered as tensions in the region continue to simmer.
In summary, while the U.S. and Pakistani officials discussed bilateral relations, including counterterrorism cooperation, there were no public commitments made by Pakistan to address the issue of terrorism directly. This ambiguity casts a shadow on the potential for future discussions, particularly concerning U.S.-India ties and regional stability, while mediation efforts linked to Kashmir remain uncertain.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
