Tension with India affecting Pak's offensive against Taliban: Gilani

Islamabad, Nov.14 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said heightened tension with India is affecting its ongoing war against the Taliban.

During a meeting with US National Security Adviser Lt.General (retired) James Jones here, Gilani said his government is fully committed to rooting out extremism from its soil, but the tension on the eastern border is having a detrimental effect on such efforts.

"While Pakistan is fully committed to taking to logical conclusion the ongoing operations against the Taliban, the country's forces are over stretched because of perpetual tensions on the eastern border," The Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

Gilani urged the US to influence India to resume talks with Pakistan and reduce tensions between both nations so that Islamabad could concentrate on the 'war on terror'.

"The US should be 'sensitive' to Pakistan's core interests - including the Kashmir dispute, issues related to water, the Indian military's capability and the balance of power in South Asia," Gilani said.

Various issues such as the ongoing South Waziristan offensive, the rehabilitation of IDPs', capacity building of the Pakistani forces and matters related to the country's stumbling economy were also discussed at the meeting.

Jones told Gilani that the US is committed to helping Pakistan in reconstruction efforts in areas affected by terrorism and in the capacity building of its forces.

He said he was in Islamabad to convey to the Pakistani leadership that the Obama administration is serious about pursuing a long-term alliance with Pakistan. (ANI)