Pak urges US to push India to look beyond prism of terrorism to bridge ‘trust deficit’

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has urged the United States to push India to try to bridge the existing trust deficit between the two neighbouring countries through addressing all the controversial issues pending between them and not link those solely with terrorism.

Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit complained that India’s tendency to see terrorism as the only cause of distrust between two countries complicates matters.

“It is a self-delusional approach,” Basit said.

He said Islamabad wants Washington to prod India to take steps concerning human rights issues in Kashmir and several contentious issues such as the river water sharing and Sir Creek.

“We want the US to encourage India to take steps for improving the human rights situation in Kashmir, moving forward on Siachen and Sir Creek and agreeing to arbitration on the Kishanganga hydropower project,” The Dawn quoted Basit, as saying.

He said Islamabad wants a meaningful engagement with New Delhi in order to end all disputes and work together for peaceful and strong bilateral relations.

“Our two countries do need to build mutual trust and confidence. It is, therefore, necessary that we engage each other with sincerity of purpose with a view to settling our differences and disputes and achieving peace and prosperity in the region,” Basit said.

He also pointed out that Pakistan wants India to end the exercise of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Kashmir and release all political prisoners.

“It is a key for both of us to first agree on the cause of trust deficit before we find ways to deal with it,” Basit added.

Basit’s statement has come a day after the US said that it would continue to back both countries in their efforts to improve ties.

“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,” Assistant Secretary of State Philip J Crowley Crowley had said earlier 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. (ANI)