US keen on Pak-India talks to end tensions in South Asia

Islamabad, Feb.18 (ANI): The United States is quietly nudging both Pakistan and India to work for the success of the February 25 foreign secretary-level talks in New Delhi, which it sees as crucial for lowering tensions in South Asia and ensuring success for its campaign in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

According to The Dawn, American diplomats have been talking to leaders in Islamabad and New Delhi to ensure a positive outcome of the meeting.

Washington's efforts have been highlighted by the recent visit of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry to the two capitals where his focus was said to be on forging peace between the two countries.

The issue has also been on the agenda of other senior American officials, including National Security Adviser James Jones and Under-Secretary of Defence Michele Flournoy who were in Pakistan this week.

President Obama's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke is reaching Islamabad on Thursday.

Ms Flournoy confirmed to a group of journalists that the US was helping the two countries to make the dialogue successful.

"We will do everything in our power to support successful outcome of the talks, an outcome that everyone is looking for," she said.

Senior US diplomats said Washington's diplomacy would focus on changing the regional calculus from competition in Afghanistan to cooperation. (ANI)