WASHINGTON: The Trump administration today blamed Pakistan for deteriorating Indo-Pak relations and warned that the ties might worsen further if another "high- profile" terrorist attack emanates from across the border this year. The attack had claimed the lives of seven security personnel while four terrorists were killed.Coats said Pakistan is concerned about its international isolation due to its dwindling position against India's rising international status, expanded foreign outreach and deepening ties with the US. ""The threat to the US and the West from Pakistani-based terrorist groups will be persistent but diffuse. "The groups we judge will pose the greatest threat to Pakistan's internal security include Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, Jamaat ui-Ahrar, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, ISIS-K, Laskhare Jhangvi, and Lashkar-e Jhangvi ai-Aiami," he said, adding that the emerging China Pakistan Economic Corridor will probably offer militants and terrorists additional targets. "Pakistan's pursuit of tactical nuclear weapons potentially lowers the threshold for their use," Coats warned.

Source: Economic Times May 11, 2017 17:37 UTC