U S Defence Secretary nominee Mark Esper has said Pakistan had taken initial and promising steps against anti-Indian groups, adding that he would use all possible tools to promote a change in Islamabad's strategic approach to the region. "We have seen Pakistan take some constructive steps on Afghan reconciliation. Pakistan has also taken initial, promising steps against anti-Indian groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which threaten regional stability," Esper told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. "My objective would be to maintain decision space and preserve the defence relationship, including select military-to-military exchanges, between the United States and Pakistan, even as we urge Pakistan to take action on US requests." "The US Government is taking a regional approach to the conflict, noting the importance of garnering support from neighbours like Pakistan, while deterring other regional actors, such as Russia and Iran, from serving as spoilers to the peace process," he added.

Source: dna July 17, 2019 04:41 UTC