NEW DELHI, March 27: India has been fuming at an American push for talks between New Delhi and Islamabad amid fears in Washington that a recent massacre of 24 pundits (Hindu religious leaders) in Kashmir could trigger a fresh standoff between the two countries, diplomats and news reports said on Thursday.
They said following the advice of US State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher earlier in the week that India and Pakistan should resume their dialogue, US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca has flagged the Kashmir massacre as a typical incident that needed to be watched for its wider implications.
“Even plans are being finalized for India’s chief interlocutor with the US and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra’s visit to the United States in May, New Delhi has taken strong exception to US suggestions on renewal of dialogue between India and Pakistan after the Nadimarg killings,” the Indian Express said.
Similar reports appeared in other newspapers reflecting India’s growing discomfort with Washington over its ties with Pakistan.
The paper said that at a time when New Delhi has observed virtual restraint on Washington’s campaign against Iraq, “the political leadership in (Wednesday’s) meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) felt that the US had been far more economical with the truth when it came to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir. A need was thus expressed to convey India’s concern across the hierarchy in Washington”.
Rocca’s comments reflecting a balance between India and Pakistan, which New Delhi frowns at, came at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday.
She told the Senate committee that even as Washington advances its efforts in the Middle East, “South Asia remains at the front line of the war on terror, and regional stability remains critical”.
What seems to have annoyed the Indian establishment was Rocca’s pointed reference to Pakistan as a key player in the war against terrorism, particularly when New Delhi is yet again accusing Islamabad for the happenings in Kashmir and even elsewhere.
“Pakistan’s effective support for the Operation Enduring Freedom has been equally welcome. Pakistan’s October 2002 elections re-established a civilian government, and we are providing assistance towards a full return to democracy there, Rocca said.
“We have experienced the close cooperation of all the countries in the region in the war against terror, and were able to play a helpful role last spring and summer to defuse a dangerous crisis between India and Pakistan that could have led to a catastrophic conflict, and we are redoubling our efforts to reduce tensions in Kashmir.”
The text of Rocca’s comments was made available in New Delhi by diplomatic sources.
“With an eye to the future, we will continue to transform our relationship with India, a rising global power,” Rocca said, only to spoil it by describing, as far as India was concerned, Pakistan as a front line ally against terrorism.
“US relations with Pakistan have broadened significantly over the past 18 months. Starting with our solid partnership in the war on terror and our cooperation in the Operation Enduring Freedom, we have expanded the relationship and have re-established a USAID programme, providing assistance in the areas of education, democracy, economic development and health,” Rocca said.—J.N
In Washington on Thursday, the United States and Britain urged Pakistan to ‘fulfil its commitment to stop infiltration’ across the Line of Control in Kashmir, adds Anwar Iqbal.
‘Pakistan should also do its utmost to discourage any acts of violence by militants in Kashmir,’ said a rare joint statement issued in Washington.
The statement, signed by both U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, ‘strongly condemned’ the attack on Hindu pundits in Kashmir on March 23.
The United States and Britain also urged India and Pakistan to ‘consider immediately implementing a ceasefire and taking other active steps to reduce tension including by moves within the SAARC context.’
‘The differences between India and Pakistan can only be resolved through peaceful means and engagement,’ the statement said.
