Pakistan concerned over closer Indo-US ties following Tillerson visit
What's the story
Pakistan has expressed concern over the growing closeness between India and the US, days after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited New Delhi. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said the role given to India by the US "will only aggravate the situation and endanger" regional peace and stability. Zakaria also opposed any transfer of US armed drones to India.
25 Oct 2017
Swaraj slams Pak-based terror in joint statement with US counterpart
On October 25, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj slammed Pakistan, saying it must act against terrorist groups in its territory, during a joint statement with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in New Delhi. Tillerson acknowledged, "Terrorist safe havens will not be tolerated." "Too many terror groups find safe haven in Pakistan which is now threatening the stability of the Pakistan government," he added.
Statement
Indo-US ties shouldn't be based on threats to Pakistan
Zakaria said Islamabad doesn't oppose closer Indo-US ties but "it should not be based on agenda of containing China or threatening Pakistan." He accused Indian intelligence agency R&AW of promoting terrorism in Pakistan and said this issue was raised with Tillerson when he visited Islamabad prior to his India visit. He said the issue of India's cross-border ceasefire violations was also raised.
On drones
Pakistan opposes potential US sale of armed drones to India
Zakaria warned that the sale of US armed drones to India could increase chances of "military misadventures" leading to conflict. He said Pakistan steadfastly maintains that any regional armed transfers should ensure that the strategic stability in South Asia which "extra-regional powers" should be mindful of. His statement came after the Trump administration said the US is considering India's request for the drones.