India has the right to defend itself militarily: US

Washington, Oct 13: Sending out a strong message, the United States on Thursday said that it empathised with India's perception to defend itself militarily.

Peter Lavoy, a senior White House official said that it supported every country's right to self-defence. He was speaking at the release of a report on India-US security ties at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

While describing the Uri attack as an act of cross border terrorism, Lavoy also said that in heavy militarised relationships like that of India and Pakistan, there is a need for caution and prudence from both sides.

He said that the two nations had experienced at least three wars and have forces on the Line of Control and the international border. India and Pakistan have a "friction-filled relationship" and they have not found a way to overcome that, he also said.

He also said that his country understands the concerns raised by India and the US remained committed to working with India and other international partners to prevent attacks such as the one at Uri.

"We do empathise with the Indian perception that it needs to respond militarily. However, we would also like to highlight our strong interest in seeing caution prevail," he said.

Further he also said that the US is making every effort to ensure India becomes a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group by the end of this year. In 2016, India ought to join the NSG, he also added.

OneIndia News