Relations with India, Pakistan not at expense of each other: US official
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Deputy National Security Adviser at the White House Ben Rhodes has said that the United States does not view its relationships with India and Pakistan at the expense of each other, the IBNLive reported.
"It's important that we make clear, and the [US] President did last time when he went to India [in 2010], that we don't view these relationships as taking place at the expense of the other. That we can have a good relationship with India and we can have a good relationship with Pakistan," Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes was quoted in the Press Trust of India report.
Also read: Obama informs Sharif about Delhi visit .
"Frankly, that's in the interest of all the three countries," he added.
President Barack Obama arrives in India this weekend for an unprecedented second visit by a serving US president, the honoured guest of his new friend Narendra Modi who was a Washington outcast before winning the elections in India only a year ago
After Jimmy Carter, Obama is the only US president who has not visited Pakistan while on a trip to India.
Also read: Obama’s India visit is Pakistan’s wake-up call: analysts
Obama had not visited Pakistan during his first trip to India in November 2010 and also skipped a scheduled visit in 2011 owing to several sensitive bilateral issues.
"I think both countries have acknowledged that. But we've moved on. Recently, Secretary [of State] John Kerry was able to visit Pakistan. He was able to visit Peshawar, where the horrific terrorist attack took place. We are able to have a strategic dialogue with the Pakistanis," White House official Ben Rhodes said.
Also read: Kerry meets Nawaz, reiterates commitment to fight terror
"We believe that that relationship (with Pakistan) is on the uptick. It is as good as it has been in years. So we feel confident about our high-level engagement," Rhodes said.
The US has encouraged India and Pakistan to resolve their bilateral issues by pursuing a peace dialogue, and has been very supportive of that process, he added.
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Comments (32) Closed
Jan 22, 2015 12:04pm
Yes sir. However we know that actions speak louder than words.
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Jan 22, 2015 12:06pm
The only way for progress and peaceful coexistence is corporation between countries of the world especially neighbors. Other wise there will be darkness and nothing else to live by.
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Jan 22, 2015 12:14pm
Awww Why these statements Indians will mind White House :)
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Jan 22, 2015 12:31pm
American message to Pakistan is very clear though words may be different
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Jan 22, 2015 12:33pm
We dont believe anything Democrats and Obama say. Please bring on republican as they are true friends of pakistan
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Jan 22, 2015 12:50pm
Yes he is right. USA just want to modernize Indian military and they are going to manufacture C-130 in India, and wants to help India to build nuclear weapons and wants to boost economic ties. All outsourcing companies are only allowed to work in India and as Pakistan is the most dangerous country in their list :) even they don't want to miss a chance to declare it failed state. Pakistan is also not in USA immigration list. Pakistan export to USA also has very limited due to US restrictions. No country can directly Pakistan it was stopped by USA when they made a group 'Friends of Pakistan'. Everything they are doing is to corner Pakistan. They control Afghanistan but do not take responsibility when attacks happened from Afghanistan soul. Our leadership has no courage to even launch a complain to AISAF only they can give them orders and they will simple obey.
He is self right. Enemy's friend is an enemy :)
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Jan 22, 2015 12:53pm
@Nadeem well said and completely agreed.
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Jan 22, 2015 12:54pm
Yes Pakistan's expenses will be taken care by US and will not be diluted due to India's objections.
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Jan 22, 2015 01:02pm
In the diplomacy you need to read between the lines. India do not trust Pakistan or USA, It evaluates and then make relationship. Better Pakistan learn this and behave properly with India and stop terrorism from its soil redirecting to India.
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Jan 22, 2015 01:12pm
World witnesses the brutality of America towards Middle east and Afghanistan. I agree all americans do not fall on the same page there are some social beings with human heart aswell. Meanwhile, both the neighbours viz- India and Pak should carry their strategies in a peaceful manner. war is not any solution at any cost which could bring only destruction otherwise. Therefore, People should understand the consequences and always offer full stop to terrorism. Both the countries should engage themselves for the developement processes and should take a keen intrest to rise their economy. I wish good luck to both the countries.
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Jan 22, 2015 01:20pm
President Obama has shown clear bias against Pakistan by visiting India twice!
Giving importance to India as a counterweight to China is a flawed approach!
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Jan 22, 2015 01:21pm
Mr. Ben its all words which means nothing! Your action speaks louder! Please do not take others as fools. You provide us help for your own means, so better not to pretend!
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Jan 22, 2015 01:23pm
And hence, once again US proved what they really think of Pakistan.
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Jan 22, 2015 01:27pm
When the US sells weapons to India, a country that has waged wars on Pakistan using imported weapons numerous times, then at whose expense is that? The US has really lost credibility by cozing up to Modi, someone who they themselves had blacklisted not too long ago. Nothing the US officials say anymore means much.
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Jan 22, 2015 01:39pm
Awesome!!!...Mr. Rhodes has made a remarkable statement describing US policy in South Asia for the promotion of peace and prosperity in the region...
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Jan 22, 2015 01:43pm
@Shabir Mir ...i think we must avoid this mantra....we are not "thekedars" of Afghanistan and Iraq. what america did there we shouldn't be worried...if turkey can be part of the NATO forces if Saudi Arabia can develop deep relations with US then we must understand the situation and be positive about US.This is the time, we must be careful only about Pakistan and pursue things in the best interest of Pakistan.
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Jan 22, 2015 02:19pm
US have only one issue in PAK that is controlling terrorist and counter middle east...neither trade nor else....
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Jan 22, 2015 02:29pm
@sadam Gurmani please be specific what are the interests of Pakistan? Fighting endlessly imposed wars or always trying to meet endless demands of US and India. All we need is being treated on equal terms and mutual respect. Not only expected to do as we are told. Yes we are not thekedars but we are falling apart trying to cope withmessy situations that are created by others. If India is smart enough they will try and improve relations and peacefully co exist. That will be good for all of us and we can all prosper. If this big brother attitude prevails, instability will remain in Pakistan for sure, but ma spiral out of control. I fear that most. If India chooses we can both be winners otherwise both are loosing, we more though.
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Jan 22, 2015 02:49pm
@sadam Gurmani
i agree with u to some extent brother. U mentioned about NATO...Is this organization meet its objectivies for which it was formed? Are they realy working for Peace or haunting innocent civilians. What is the role of UNO then?
Plz answer.....
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Jan 22, 2015 03:14pm
In today's diplomacy there is no balancing or favouring. It is all about business. President Obama representing american MNCs and Prime Minister Modi is representing his domestic companies. Obama is pressing Modi to provide greater market access and in turn Modi wants more investment and technology transfer to India. At the end of the day it is all about give and take, the money which talks, makes or breaks the relations.
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Jan 22, 2015 03:22pm
Lets hope our Indian friends heed to white house's advise and stop bashing Pakistan.
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Jan 22, 2015 03:31pm
Much as US spokesmen may try to rationalize American Presidents unwillingness to visit Pakistan is not at the expense of each other, it is hard to believe it. Given the animosity of India against Pakistan there is no way to justify extra ordinary favors to India like nuclear energy, joint exercises , co-production of defense equipment's and participation in republic day celebrations etc. US also must realize that Pakistan has been in the fore front in defending US interest in the region for almost five decades. At a time when India was hobnobbing with USSR against it. Much of Pakistan problems are a consequence of Pakistan support to US . It is quite clear that now American interest has shifted to build up India in her clash with China. Pakistan as a nation cannot except a doctrine that US obvious tilt in favor of India and correspondingly ignoring Pakistan's interest. If really America wants to play a role that it professes the least it can do is to persuade India to have a settlement of Kashmir issue on the basis of UN verdict. Kashmir is the litmus test of America's good intention towards Pakistan. This will be in US interest also as it will carry the support of both the countries.
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Jan 22, 2015 03:38pm
LOL
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Jan 22, 2015 03:55pm
"To be enemy of USA is dangerous; to be friend is fatal"!
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Jan 22, 2015 04:07pm
The only gain for the US for keeping a relationship with Pakistan is that it reins it's militants and the nuisance they create around the world and for that they US pays Pakistan dollars....That's the only relationship the US has with Pakistan...On the other hand the relationship with India is for trade, commerce ,development etc......
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Jan 22, 2015 04:20pm
Pakistan strategic ties have been cemented with a neighbor and regional/global power namely China. With economic corridor in full swing between Pakistan and China, the America file has been pushed below in the pile among the corridors of power in Pakistan. With no direct access to Pakistan in American market, America really cant offer Pakistan anything substantial which can warrant any preferential treatment.
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Jan 22, 2015 04:44pm
U.S. gives these sorts of comments only to pacify Pakistan. They've already used Pakistan to their fullest satisfaction.
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Jan 22, 2015 04:48pm
It's funny how Pakistanis are crying foul at Obama's visit to India. Modi is a smart statesman, a foresighted businessman and visionary leader. His types are bound to attract investment, and international attention. If Pakistan leadership has such brains, then let them also try to match indias achievements. My point is simple. If you can't win them, join them!
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Jan 22, 2015 05:28pm
@Pakistan ki Shaan John Kerry is more inclined tw Pakistan than India.. :-)
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Jan 22, 2015 06:11pm
@Shabir Mir In my opinion, No organization has fulfilled its purpose,But what i wanted to say is that we must lift ourselves to the level where we can claim equality.First deserve then desire attitude would be rather appropriate.we must concentrate on our country's development only. Fighting for other people comes later.First we must safeguard the basic rights of our own people.India has acquired better status in the world by active diplomacy and people feel safe over there.Recent cancellation of Chinese premier visit to Pakistan is proof of this thing.We must strengthen our political system and there is nothing wrong in learning from the experiences of successful nations......though some of us consider them the best lived nation on earth by seeing the prism of Pakistani culture.
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Jan 23, 2015 02:24am
@Mashman This is something India must understand. The threat directions to the region have always been from the West (Afghanistan) and the South (the ocean) and this has not changed. Flirting with either is like playing with fire. It is in the Indian interest to mend its relations with Pakistan.
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Jan 23, 2015 02:35am
@Arshad It is great that we have been spared!!! Pakistanis should celebrate this event instead of complaining. Great that we will not be carriers for US interests. Just look around where this friendship has taken us. Let Indians do the job for US. Next you will see India as front line state against China. We must learn our lessons and remain non aligned in the upcoming conflict between Tigers India and China .
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