Washington: After last year's India-Pakistan stand-off that pushed the two countries
to the brink of war, another storm could be brewing in the sub-continent as
indicated by the massacre of 24 people in Pulwama, Christina Rocca, the US Assistant
Secretary of State, has warned.
Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, she said, "We helped to
successfully walk India and Pakistan back from the brink of war last year. However,
continued terrorism like Monday's (March 24 morning) attack threaten to provoke yet
another crisis in the coming months."
In this scenario, avoiding conflict between India and Pakistan was perhaps the most
daunting US challenge in South Asia, she said, adding, "We look to Pakistan to do
everything in its power to prevent extremist groups operating from its soil from
crossing the line of control."
Avoiding the word "dialogue", which annoyed New Delhi and brought charges of double
standards when US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher used it in the context
of the massacre, she said, "We will use our good offices to continue to press both
sides to take confidence-building steps that will lead to a process of engagement,
addressing all issues that divide them, including Kashmir."
Rocca said the US was encouraged by the results of last fall's Assembly elections in
Kashmir and viewed them as "the first step in a broader process that can promote
peace".
The new state government, she said, had adopted a 31-point common minimum programme
aimed at promoting dialogue, reconciliation, human rights and economic development
in Kashmir.
"We are also examining ways in which modest US assistance might bolster some of
these positive developments and help build up constituencies for peace," she said.
Rocca also said even as the US advanced its efforts in the Middle East, South Asia
remained at the front lines of the war on terror, and regional stability remained
critical.
The US must remain actively and effectively engaged in this region, where "our most
vital interests are at stake".
Pakistan's October 2002 elections re-established a civilian government, and "we are
providing assistance towards a full return to Democracy there".
PTI
