Photo: Getty Images/AFPNew Delhi: In its most damaging critique of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism yet, a senior Donald Trump administration official on Thursday blamed Pakistan for deteriorating ties with India, warning of a further decline if India is hit by a “high profile” terrorist attack traced back across the border. “Pakistani-based terrorist groups will present a sustained threat to the US interests in the region and continue to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan,” Coats said in his testimony. But Coats’s comments show a greater alignment between New Delhi and Washington on the question of Pakistan and terrorism emanating from there. This attack put paid to efforts to relaunch peace talks between India and Pakistan in the weeks preceding it. Noting that Pakistan will probably be able to manage its internal security, he said anti-Pakistan groups are likely to focus more on soft targets.

Source: Mint May 12, 2017 03:28 UTC