The United States and India reaffirmed their common view on cross-border terror albeit with varying emphasis and even a good word from US Secretary of State John Kerry for Islamabad’s efforts to curb the menace. Its goal is to stabilize Afghanistan, whose USA -backed government is struggling to contain Taliban rebels.
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“There has been no rush, and bilateral defense ties are being forged only when India has felt the need for greater cooperation with the U.S.”, Kazi, who is also a visiting fellow at the Stimson Center, told VOA.
Kerry and other officials arrived in India for the U.S. -India strategic dialogue, with a lot to discuss, including trade, security and nuclear cooperation. During the talks, India had sought US’ assurance to support its membership at the UN Security Council.
The two countries are also collaborating on smart grid technology and biofuels.
Deputy Spokesperson in State Department Mark Toner, who is travelling with Kerry, said, the visit has been extended to enable him to travel to China for G-20 Summit this weekend. The deal has seen some roadblocks because of India’s laws that hold USA companies liable for accidents at the plants.
On the need to combat terrorism, Kerry said, “Terror groups like Daesh, Al Qaeda, LeT, JeM can’t be fought by a single nation alone”.
Spokesman John Kirby disputed that, saying he was unaware of “any dissonance” on the issue. “We want to make it happen before the year-end”, said the United States leader. U.S. stands with India on all matters of terrorism, no matter where it comes from.
India’s minister for external affairs, Sushma Swaraj, struck a similar note, saying there was a “meeting of minds” between her and Kerry on terrorism, which she described as the foremost threat to global peace and security. Stepping up cooperation on counter-terrorism, India and United States agreed on a joint cyber framework and increasing intelligence sharing in fighting terror and brutal extremism.
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Since 2001, Pakistan has received more than $33 billion in US aid, including some $14 billion in “Coalition Support Funds” – reimbursements for counterterrorism efforts. The two countries stressed “the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation, freedom of overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce throughout the region, including in the South China Sea”. “As a result of the reforms, the US and India trade more with each other, invest more in each other, and do more business together than ever before”, she said. Foreign investors want reassurance that Asia’s third-largest economy is becoming an easier place to do business.
