Indo-Pak FM Level Talks ‘Positive Development’: US
The US has described the decision taken by India and Pakistan to re-start talks at political level as ‘positive development’ but noted that there is still long way to go as far as improvement of relationship between the two countries is concerned, reported PTI.
“Well, obviously, a long way to go. But a positive development in terms of de-escalation of that tension gives us a chance to focus on extremists like Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, particularly in Pakistan,” the White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs was quoted as saying while talking to reporters.
Gibbs made the remarks while answering a query about the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of SAARC summit in Bhutan.
During the meeting, Singh and Gilani agreed to resume talks on all issues of concerns between the two countries at the Foreign Minister level.
Despite many requests by Pakistan, the US has categorically ruled out to mediate between the two countries, remaining sensitive to India’s concern; however, its officials have impressed upon the leaders of the two neighbours to engage themselves in dialogue and resolve all outstanding issues through talks.
Last month, President Barack Obama held meetings with both Singh and Gilani separately on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.
