US encourage by Indo-Pak talks: Clinton

Washington, Jun 24: Noting that the Obama Administration is working "very hard" on its strategic partnership with India, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday, Jun 23 told law makers that she is encouraged by the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan.

At the same time, she expressed support to India's stand that Pakistan needs to prevent the use of its territory against India.

She, indeed, conceded before a key Congressional committee, that this is one of the greatest impediment to peace talks between the two countries.

"With respect to India, we are working very hard on our strategic partnership with India," Clinton said in response to a question during a hearing on Pakistan at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"I think it's fair to say that, you know, India looks at Pakistan and, believes that their continuing support for elements of insurgency against India in Kashmir and across the border into India proper makes it very difficult for them to know what path to choose," Clinton said.

"But I've been encouraged by the cricket diplomacy between Prime Minister Singh and Prime Minister Gilani. I've been encouraged by the resumption of talks that had broken off in 2008," she said.

"We have certainly urged both sides to go as far as they could to build more confidence and to try to be able to develop an atmosphere of greater cooperation," Clinton said.

Clinton told the Senators that one has to think that US has to recognize the overriding, strategic framework in which Pakistan thinks of itself, is its relationship with India.

PTI