Terrorism, not India real enemy of Pakistan: US

Washington, Mar 24 (ANI): Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg has said the United States would like India to help Pakistan deal with the problem of extremism, and in return, US expects Pakistan to recognise that terrorism, and not India, is its real enemy.

"I think it will be important for India to make clear that as Pakistan takes steps to deal with extremists on its own territory that India will be supportive of that," he said.

But he acknowledged that it would not be easy to reduce tensions between South Asia's two nuclear-armed neighbours.

"There is obviously a complex history between the two countries, but we will encourage India to see that it has a big stake in the efforts that we will be advocating to work both with Afghanistan and Pakistan," The Dawn quoted Steinberg, as saying.

The Obama Administration's new strategy for Pakistan not only seeks a greater US engagement with the country, but also tries to redefine its relations with neighbouring countries.

The Obama administration is expected to unveil its new strategy on fighting extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan later this week.

American officials familiar with the new strategy say that Washington also wants to strengthen democratic institutions in Pakistan, pointing out the country has been ruled by the military for more than half of its 61 years of existence.

The officials noted that the US played a key role in defusing tensions between President Asif Ali Zardari and opposition leader Nawaz Sharif earlier this month. (ANI)