US legislators encouraged by Indo-Pak dialogue

Senator John Kerry, chairman of the US Senates Foreign Relations Committee, has hailed Pakistans decision to grant most-favoured-nation (MFN) status to India. I am encouraged that Pakistan granted India most-favored-nation status and that the two nations are continuing their dialogue on a host of issues, he said.In his opening remarks before the testimony of Ms. Nancy Powell, President Obamas nominee to be new US ambassador to India, he said one area that is showing signs of promise -- especially on economic cooperation -- is the India-Pakistan relationship, while referring to the recent Indo-Pak meetings in this regard.I hope both countries, India and Pakistan, can seize this moment to break with the perilous and somewhat stereotyped politics of the past, he observed adding that Washington is going to be looking to New Delhi not only for cooperation, but increasingly for innovation, for regional leadership.There are fewer relationships that will be as vital in the 21st century as our growing ties with India and its people. On all of the most critical global challenges that we face, India really has a central role to play, he said. Indias strategic role is also growing and requires Indias sustained presence and engagement, whether to combat nuclear proliferation, to promote economic stability in Afghanistan or to encourage human rights in Burma and Sri Lanka, he opined.Ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Richard Lugar, on the occasion, said that US and India share concerns about the stability of Afghanistan and Pakistan and the growing military capabilities of China. India is poised to be an anchor of stability in Asia and a center of economic growth far into the future, he argued.Our ongoing cooperation with India includes efforts to ensure security in South Asia. India and the United States have strong incentives to cooperate on counterterrorism in the region and beyond, he emphasized while questioning as to what opportunities existed for US-Indian initiatives designed to combat terrorism, in light of the Obama administrations intent to reduce U.S. forces in Afghanistan and the complex relationship of United States with Pakistan.Nancy Powell, who has previously also served as the US amabassador to Pakistan from August 2002 to October 2004, said that the new Silk Road vision foresees a network of economic, transit, trade and people-to-people connections across South and Central Asia. India supports this vision and is a significant donor in Afghanistan and has taken steps to facilitate better trade with Pakistan.Talking about the security threats allegedly emanating from Pakistan, she said that terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba pose a critical threat not only to our partners like India but also to U.S. strategic objectives in the region and vowed to work for better counterterrorism efforts in the region as the US amabassador to India.Commenting on the possibilities of a greater Indo-Pak cooperation and the possible role of US in it, she expressed firm belief in encouraging a dialogue and the resolution of problems between India and Pakistan. I believe that ideas are supported by both countries, ideas to be endorsed through the track two or track one negotiations that are very active on both levels, that there would be a role for the United States to play, she suggested.I have had the opportunity to meet many of the people that are engaged in these dialogues and certainly think that the United States plays a role in encouraging ideas and looking for additional creative solutions, but that the primary responsibility rests with the two countries, she argued.When asked to elborate on such a role, she said that she had worked with so many leaders and diplomats in both India and Pakistan. I am very confident that they have the ability to do that, but certainly dont rule out our ability to assist, she stated.Giving her views on the US-India relationship, she said Indias population of 1.2 billion and its large consumer economy represents a huge, fast-growing market for US manufactured goods. Our exports are growing at nearly 17 percent a year.At this rate exports from the United States to India are expected to nearly double in five years, she hoped.Another priority is our defense cooperation, which currently is at an all-time high. U.S. defense sales to India reached nearly $8 billion last year, and India holds more military exercises with the United States than with any other country, she pointed out.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC