TOP US diplomat Hillary Clinton, during a press conference in Delhi today said that the revival of nuclear talks between India and Pakistan was a positive sign and that the US was encouraged by it.
The visiting US Secretary of State met top government official today for talks on India-Pakistan relations, withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and ways to boost Indo-US economic relations. Her visit comes almost a week after serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, which took 20 lives. The blasts were the worst since the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai, in which 166 people were killed. Following the 2008 attack, the relations between India and Pakistan became strained, but they have revived once again in the recent months. The foreign ministers of the two countries are set to meet next week.
Clinton noted that the US welcomes the revival of talks, adding that it is the most promising approach and will help to build confidence between the two states.
The top US diplomat also reiterated US’ commitment to support India in fight against terrorism. She said that counter terrorism co-operation was top priority for the US. We pledge full support to India in fight against terror. We cannot tolerate safe haven to terrorists anywhere, it is in the interest of Pakistan itself to act against terrorism, Clinton added.
She also called on the government to liberalise its energy policy so that more US nuclear energy firms could expand business in India. Although the two states signed an energy pact in 2008, India’s new nuclear liabilities bill prevents several US companies to invest in India.
Earlier in the day, Clinton met her Indian counterpart SM Krishna for talks on co-operation issues. During the meeting the two officials agreed to strengthen ties in areas of energy, security, the economy, education and science and to work towards promotion of stability in the region.
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