Manmohan Singh's US visit not aimed at diminution of Pak importance: Holbrooke

Washington, Nov.24 (ANI): US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, has said that Pakistan need not worry about Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh's US visit, as the Obama administration is trying to strengthen its ties with all the three big countries of the region, which include China and Pakistan.

"This visit should not be read in Pakistan as a diminution of the importance we attach to it," Holbrooke said.

He said the US is 'delighted' to host Dr. Singh on his first visit to Washington in President Barack Obama's regime.

"We want that every country gains from this relationship," The Daily Times quoted Holbrooke, as saying.

Dr. Singh's US visit is being watched closely in Pakistan, as the country's leadership is worried about India asking the White House to use its influence in the region to force Islamabad to cut down its anti-India campaigns.

Earlier, addressing the Council On Foreign Relations in Washington Dr.Singh said Pakistan should abjure terrorism and come to the table with good faith and sincerity.

"My government has invested heavily over the past few years in normalizing relations with Pakistan. We made considerable progress on the road to a durable and permanent settlement of all outstanding issues. I have said that we are ready to pick up the threads of the dialogue, including on issues related to Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Dr. Singh stressed that India wants peace and prosperity in the region.

"For this to happen, Pakistan must make a break with the past, abjure terrorism and come to the table with good faith and sincerity. It is my solemn hope that India and Pakistan can together move forward to write a new chapter in the history of the sub-continent," he said. (ANI)