'Talks alone can resolve Indo-Pak. disputes'

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JULY 18. The United States has once again said it will strongly support a sustained engagement between India and Pakistan at a senior level as that was the best way to settle long-term bilateral disputes and make real progress for the reduction of tensions in the sub continent.

At an Indian American Friendship Council banquet on Tuesday, the Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Ms. Christina Rocca, argued that while India and Pakistan did not come to a final understanding on a joint statement ``it is important to keep this meeting in perspective. The two sides were grappling with very difficult issues that have divided them for over 50 years.''

The serious and constructive atmosphere at the Agra summit meant the two sides were committed to resolving the differences even if this turned out to be a lengthy process. ``We strongly support this kind of sustained, senior-level engagement between Pakistan and India,'' she said.

Ms. Rocca, incidentally, is travelling this weekend to to India, Pakistan and Nepal.

Earlier, the State Department deputy spokesman, Mr. Philip Reeker, said the ``serious and constructive atmosphere'' at the summit indicated that New Delhi and Islamabad were committed to solving their differences.

Asked whether the summit outcome was a little short of what the U.S. would like to have seen happen, Mr. Reeker said Washington had always called for a dialogue on difficult questions and what was seen was an end to the two-year freeze in high level contacts which was an important step in itself. ``... and we saw a serious and constructive atmosphere... which we believe shows that both sides are committed to resolving their differences.''

The administration also said that while India and Pakistan may not have reached agreement on a final joint statement, it was necessary to keep the summit in perspective. ``And we want to just encourage a sustained engagement at a senior level. We think that the agreement of the Prime Minister of India to visit Islamabad for further discussions is itself a positive step...,'' the spokesman added.

In remaining positive on the outcome in Agra, the State Department is unwilling to comment or take a position on New Delhi's stance that cross-border terrorism must be part of the dialogue on Kashmir; or in Indian insistence that Pakistan has a direct role in funding and arming the terrorists or the so- called freedom fighters in Kashmir.

``That is for the two sides to discuss. Our position has been that they need to have a dialogue on these issues. It is only through dialogue that they are going to solve these problems. There is not a military solution to the situation there,'' Mr. Reeker said. On whether the State Department had any information about Pakistani support for rebels in Kashmir, he said, ``I don't have anything to share with you.''

The response of the Bush administration to the Agra summit was along expected lines for at no time was there any indication that Washington would discard its traditional approach to issues in South Asia.

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Section  : International
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