Bridging Indo-Pak trust deficit will take time but talks step in right direction: US

Washington, May 26 (ANI): Describing India and Pakistan’s renewed efforts to address all pending issues between them as a ’step in the right direction’, the United States has said that it would continue to back both countries in their efforts to improve ties.

Interacting with media persons during a press conference here, Assistant Secretary of State Philip J Crowley said it is important that both India and Pakistan have realised the need of holding talks to improve relationship.

“I think you left out the punch line that there was a pledge, notwithstanding a trust deficit, to work very earnestly to improve relations between Pakistan and India. And we, the United States, certainly support that,” Crowley said while responding to a question that there existed a ‘trust deficit’ between New Delhi and Islamabad, which was also highlighted by Prime Minister Dr .Manmohan Singh during his recent national press conference.

Crowley stressed that patience and persisting with the dialogue process were the two key elements to bridge the ‘trust deficit’.

“As we have said many times, it will take time to overcome that, but certainly, mutual commitment to high-level dialogue is a step in the right direction,” The Daily Times quoted Crowley, as saying.

Responding to a question, Crowley also made it clear that Washington would not raise the issue of Beijing offering support to Islamabad to build two new nuclear reactors in the ongoing US-China strategic dialogue.

“I don’t know if this will come up during the secretary’s meetings within China this week,” he said.

Crowley, however, pointed out that the Obama Administration would definitely like to see that the nuclear deal between Pakistan and China is in compliance with the regulations of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

“We are talking to China more broadly about the implications of this deal. It has a lengthy history to it. But we will seek to make sure that should this deal go forward, it is in compliance with the rules of the Nuclear Suppliers Group,” he said. (ANI)