Mumbai terror strike might affect US reconciliation moves in S. Asia: NYT

Islamabad, Nov.28 : The strategy of the United States in South Asia is likely to come unstuck because of the lack of trust that exists between India and Pakistan, experts feel.

Though both countries are moving towards improving bilateral ties through various channels, the New York Times reports that the hostility between the two South Asian neighbors could not only derail the ongoing composite dialogue process, but also have "deep consequences" for the United States, particularly if India finds Pakistani fingerprints on the latest well-planned terrorist operation in Mumbai.

Reconciliation between India and Pakistan has emerged as a basic tenet in the approaches to foreign policy of President-elect Barack Obama, and the new leader of the U.S. Central Command, Generale David H. Petraeus.

According to an NYT analyses, the point is to persuade Pakistan to focus less of its military effort on India, and more on the militants in its lawless tribal regions who are ripping at the soul of Pakistan.

The terrorist strikes in Mumbai seem likely to sour relations, fuel distrust and hamper, at least for now, America's ambitions for reconciliation in the region.

ANI