Critical for Pakistan to improve ties with India: US

Washington, Dec 17: It is critical for Pakistan to improve its relations with India, and the entire region will benefit substantially from increased economic cooperation between the two neighbours, a top Obama Administration official told lawmakers today.

"It is also critical that Pakistan improve relations with its other neighbour India," Richard G. Olson, Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on Pakistan.

"We hope the recent high-level talks between Indian and Pakistani officials and the announcement of the resumption of formal dialogue will be used to reduce tensions and increase ties between the two nations," he said.

"More broadly, the entire region stands to benefit substantially from increased economic integration," Olson said in his testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The hearing on Pakistan was chaired by Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

PTI