U.S. Silent on Pakistan’s Anti-Terror Pledge During Delegation’s Visit

The U.S. State Department refrained from disclosing whether Pakistan made any commitments on counterterrorism during a recent delegation visit led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. While discussions included bilateral relations and regional stability, no new commitments from Pakistan were noted regarding terrorism. U.S. officials reaffirmed support for India and former President Trump’s mediation offers, but specifics remain unclear.

Last week, a high-level delegation from Pakistan, headed by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, visited the United States. The visit raised questions regarding whether Pakistan provided any guarantees about addressing terrorism emanating from its territory. However, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce did not disclose any details from the discussions. “I am not going to discuss the details of those conversations,” she stated when pressed about potential commitments from Islamabad on counterterrorism efforts.

During their time in Washington, the Pakistani delegation met with significant U.S. officials, including Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Alison Hooker. Ms. Bruce mentioned that the talks revolved around various crucial bilateral issues, particularly focusing on counterterrorism cooperation. She further emphasized U.S. backing for the ongoing ceasefire between India and Pakistan, underlining the necessity for regional stability as a priority.

Despite the U.S. administration highlighting stable relations in the region, there was no mention from Pakistan regarding any new commitments to manage terrorist groups based on its soil. This area of concern is pivotal to relations not only with the U.S. but also with India, particularly in light of recent engagements. In a related context, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau engaged with an Indian parliamentary group headed by Congress member Shashi Tharoor, echoing America’s strong commitment to support India in its fight against terrorism.

When questioned about any potential follow-up to President Donald Trump’s prior offer to mediate disputes between India and Pakistan after the ceasefire, Ms. Bruce remained non-committal. She refrained from discussing Trump’s plans directly. “What I do know… is that President Trump, in each step that he takes, it’s made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war,” she remarked.

While acknowledging Mr. Trump’s past success in facilitating dialogue among conflicting parties, Ms. Bruce did not provide specific information on any future mediation strategies concerning Kashmir. Instead, she suggested inquirers reach out to the White House for more information about the administration’s plans.

In summary, while the visit from Pakistan’s delegation to the U.S. addressed numerous critical issues, including terrorism, there was a noticeable lack of clarity on Pakistan’s commitments to combat terrorists operating within its borders. The U.S. continues to support both nations’ efforts towards stability, but specifics regarding future engagements, especially related to mediation, remain uncertain. The dynamics between the U.S., India, and Pakistan are likely to evolve further as discussions continue.

The recent visit of Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation to the United States has left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding counterterrorism assurances from Islamabad. While dialogues covered crucial topics, including regional stability and support for ceasefires, no firm commitments were made by Pakistan about terrorist groups. The focus remains on maintaining U.S.-India relations and the complexities of mediation efforts in the region. As the situation develops, future interactions between these countries will be essential to watch.

Original Source: www.thehindu.com