The U.S. has not confirmed whether Pakistan offered guarantees on combating terrorism during a delegation visit led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Discussions included bilateral cooperation and U.S. support for the India-Pakistan ceasefire, but no fresh commitments from Pakistan were announced. Deputy Secretary Landau met with Indian officials to reinforce U.S.-India ties against terrorism, while the future of U.S. mediation remains unclear.
The U.S. has chosen not to disclose if Pakistan provided any assurances regarding action against terrorist groups during a recent delegation visit led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, “I am not going to discuss the details of those conversations” when asked about any commitments made by Islamabad on counterterrorism measures during last week’s parliamentary meeting.
Last week, the Pakistani delegation met with several U.S. officials, including Undersecretary for Political Affairs Alison Hooker. Bruce highlighted that these discussions touched on critical matters in the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, particularly counterterrorism cooperation. During this meeting, Hooker reiterated American support for the ceasefire currently in place between India and Pakistan.
Though discussions emphasized regional stability, there was no indication that Pakistan made any new commitments to control terror organizations within its borders. This issue remains vital in U.S.-India relations. Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau engaged with an Indian parliamentary team led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, reaffirming U.S. support for India’s fight against terrorism and the broader strategic partnership between the two nations.
When asked about potential follow-ups to President Trump’s previous mediation offer regarding India and Pakistan, Bruce was very cautious. She noted that she couldn’t speak on behalf of the president nor on future plans concerning the administration’s stance. “What I do know… is that President Trump, in each step that he takes, it’s made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war,” she remarked.
Bruce praised Trump’s history of facilitating dialogue between conflicting parties but did not provide details or insights into any possible future mediation efforts concerning Kashmir. “You can call the White House… they would have plenty to say,” she suggested, leaving specific inquiries about future plans unresolved.
In summary, the recent U.S.-Pakistan delegation discussions raised questions about Pakistan’s commitment to countering terrorism. Although regional stability and bilateral cooperation were central topics during the talks, the U.S. made no new announcements regarding Pakistan’s actions against terror groups. The focus remains on America’s support for India amidst ongoing tensions over regional security.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
