Kerry announced the initiative on a visit to New Delhi, and his show of support for his Indian hosts marked a departure from Washington’s usual neutrality regarding the nuclear-armed South Asian antagonists.
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Asked if the close consultation with India on Afghanistan under the trilateral framework may result in Pakistan feeling isolated, Kerry said United States appreciates India’s involvement in the war-torn country and Pakistan will not feel isolated but encouraged and workout a roadmap for itself in that country. “Terror is terror”, said Kerry, reiterating America’s support to India’s demand that Pakistan punish the attackers involved in 26/11 and January’s terror strike on the Pathankot air force base”, he said.
On the India-US-Afghanistan trilateral, Kerry attempted to ameliorate Pakistani fears, saying the mechanism is not aimed at isolating the country, but will be in its interest to ensure a peaceful Afghanistan.
India and the United States (U.S.) on Monday reaffirmed the “urgent necessity” for Pakistan to “dismantle safe havens for terrorists and criminal networks” including Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and D-Company.
Ties between India and the U.S. have been on the upswing, particularly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi showing little hesitation in pursuing a closer relationship with the US.
“We have to respect rights of all our citizens irrespective of creed and allow them to protest in peace without fear that they will be jailed for speaking, said Kerry. But the USA has assured us that this is not targeted against Indian companies”, Sitharaman said.
Kerry also met Tuesday with India’s national security adviser, Ajit Doval to discuss regional security and counterterrorism.
Swaraj said there was “a meeting of minds” during her talks with Kerry on tackling the threats posed by extremists.
She reminded a foreign journalist that despite her visit to Islamabad in 2015, followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief visit to Lahore, India “got (the terror attack in) Pathankot” in return.
“The plate between our two nations has never been fuller”, Kerry said. “Terror and talks can not go hand-in- hand”.
“We can not and will not make distinctions between good and bad terrorists”, Kerry said.
The commerce minister also said that India has shared a model investment treaty with the U.S.
The counterterror cooperation will include an expansion of the exchange of screening information and expediting the processing of requests from both nations for information about potential suspects, the ministers said.
Last December, the United States doubled fees to $4,000 for H-1B visas and to $4,500 for L-1 visas.
Swaraj also sought the US’ cooperation in securing India membership in the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) and permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
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Swaraj also talked about the need to step up collaboration in the area of clean energy that will make it viable for us to make quantum transition to renewable energy away from fossil fuel, and achieve our ambitious climate goals.
