WASHINGTON, Sept 22: The United States has urged India to “break out of the subcontinental box” and not to make Pakistan–centric policies.

A transcript released in Washington quotes US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence James Clad as telling a group of retired Indian generals and diplomats that the United States has de-hyphenated its relations with India from its relations with Pakistan and New Delhi should do the same.

Pakistan, he said, has a key position in the US-led war against terrorism and Washington wants to help that country overcome the problems it’s facing. “We look forward to the resumption of electoral democracy in Pakistan,” Mr Clad said.

“We are obliged to work with Pakistan and see the desirability of stability in that country.”

The senior Pentagon policymaker also rejected the suggestion that the United States wanted to lure India into a military alliance to counter China’s influence in Asia.

“There is no master plan to lure India (into a military alliance); there is no grand design for India,” Mr Clad said.

“We are not setting out some strategic blueprint and want that other countries will join in a subservient role.”

Indian politicians, including some in the ruling coalition, have repeatedly accused the United States of offering a nuclear deal to India to lure it into a grand military alliance aimed at achieving US goals in Asia.