Pakistan-India cooperation win-win for region: US
State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said Washington backs constructive dialogue between the two South Asian nuclear neighbors and cooperative ties between them would benefit the region.
“We’ve said many, many, many times from this podium that we support constructive dialogue between the two countries,” Toner stated, when asked about US reaction to the meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh held in the Maldives, where both attended SAARC annual summit.
“It is to the benefit of the region that these two countries cooperate more closely, both in the economic front but as well as on other issues.
And we see this as a win-win for the region,” the spokesman said of the cooperative potential between the two largest South Asian economies.
The bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit emanated a message of peace and cooperation in the region, which, in the past, often witnessed lingering sharp differences on peace and security issues that sometimes spiralled into conflicts.
Ahead of the SAARC summit, Islamabad made a big peace overture by deciding to grant Most Favored Nation (MFN) trade status to India, a move the US has hailed as the most concrete and tangible step yet taken by the two sides towards improvement in their relationship.
The United States and China are attending the meeting of leaders of eight member countries in Addu, Maldives, as observers. Since the start of Afghan conflict in 2001 Washington has maintained a high-stakes engagement in the region, particularly with Pakistan and India.
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@Sandeep: Why not!
@Ikram: Then can we agree ki pyaar kiya to darna kya :-)
@Sandeep Yes I myself experienced the same meeting your people. Thanks.
@Sandeep: I can also see the results of paranoia, and mistrust in your and some of your compatriots comments too due to the 60 years of warm war relationship ,it sickened you less as compared to others, but you seem a wise man among men, who despite the fact ,atleast tried to analyse the basic reasons of conflicts and i am 100 percent sure people like you know more than the deft leaders the real and permanent remedy that can cure both countries from the war phobia two countries are suffering from.What an analysis dear!
@ Ikram
remember i am your enemies too, coz i am an atheist, under the ideology of your tolerance religion i am an enemy and deserve death penalty..
It takes generations for India and Pakistan to come to terms with pragmatic realism. Each country has to do its best to put the past behind and look forward. Look at China and Korea's relationship with Japan, which committed atrocities between the two World Wars in the region. Both China and Korea chose not to dwell on the past and devoted themselves to reforms and growth.
@antanu g: This is my country, and i'm a patriotic Pakistani, who knows who are you? you should be ashamed on commenting against anyone like that, we know enemies of Pakistan.
@Ikramuddin Akbar: Chill out dude. All we are saying is, give peace a chance.
Yes, I'm young enough to remember this song, dumb enough to still believe it.
:-)
@Ikramuddin Akbar: you have indophobia hust like many in india have pakphobia...we must get rid of this to secure a secure future for the region...and one more thing..i have every reason to be interested in your affair like you have in ours. dpill off of unrest across the borders will affect entire region...not just india prbpakistan.
@Observer: SAARC members...unanimously.
@antanu g, I think his reaction is natural, the result of paranoia and mistrust due to 60 years of this 'warm war" relationship India/Pak have had.
Personally I think opening up trade, making visas slightly easier to get etc will be a good thing to open up the door a little. But it will take YEARS before things are even semi-normal.
My theory as to why suddenly both countries have become garam in their relations with each other: * Pak leadership has probably realized that they are completely isolated. US is no longer their dear friend, China seems to be running out of patience (they didn't take up Pak's offer of Gwadar), and even Karzai signed a strategic pact with India. Meanwhile economy etc seems to be in shambles. * India has hopefully finally realized that if they want to be a great country they cannot have petty squabbles with every one of their neighbors. Its actually in India's interest to promote trade and cooperation in S Asia. * US wants to get out of Afghanistan ASAP and focus on their economy but realize that unless there is some sort of peace between India/Pak nothing will change.
China/Russia almost went to nuclear war in 1968-69 due to a border dispute. Today they are best of friends. India/Pak still keep grudges with each other because of 1947 etc. Its very childish if you ask me.
@antanu g: It is people like you who are most dangerous for our Pakistan.with your hypocrisy and dual face.and if you are an indian you better take interest in your own more crucial and chronic matters.This article does not carry anything about Taliban. Dont show your sympathies with Taliban.
@antanu g: People like you are spreading hatred among Pakistanis, show your real face, its cowardice to hit us from the back, People like you with pseudonym have contaminated the atmosphere of this website, shame on you.
Circumstances,existed in the region needs cooperation between the countries such as China,Pakistan,Afghanistan and India.
Without their collective cooperation there would be no peace in the region,impossible to the last extent.good omen in this matter is that all the countries,as above mentioned inclined to the direction/
Search is being done of those groups or part of Tallban for peace negotiation but the motivators are still failed in their efforts.The reason behind this failure is that Tallban are not ready to have peace talks in the presence of Americans and the Nato forces stationed there since long.
In view of the American declaration that he is going to back before 2014,the announcement is not dependable for tallban,there are chances they demand for a guarantee in this connection so countries of the region should prepare to face the forthcoming stage,that is indispensable.
What I interpret from this statement is :If relations would be good then it would be easier for US to ask and convince Pakistan to shift some of the troops from Eastern to Western Border to reign in miscreants and start Waziristan Operation.Also India will be asked to reduce Army numbers in kashmir and to review AFSPA to play a zero sum game and balance the equation. India would be asked to be play a role in Asia pacific and to engage China. So actually it will be a Win Win situation for US on both India and pakistan front.
@AD: atleast some one understands the true face of US.
"The United States and China are attending the meeting of leaders of eight member countries in Addu, Maldives, as observers".
Who appointed US and China as "observers" of a SAARC meeting?!!!
" Let them think we are friends"
Relationship between India and Pakistan is like an overflowing gutter, every day two sweepers mop the floor,atleast to look like better for a while ,but are not allowed to rectify the main fault permanently.The house keeping department knows better.