A file photo of Line of Control between Pakistan and India. PHOTO: REUTERS
Kerry is due to attend an investment summit promoted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the weekend, and media reports say he will then travel to Islamabad.
President Barack Obama will make a second official trip to India later in the month, seeking to strengthen ties between the world's two largest democracies.
Despite Modi and Obama's well-publicised chemistry at talks in Washington last year, renewed friction between South Asia's nuclear-armed neighbours is a reminder of underlying anger in New Delhi at US support for its arch-rival.
"This may be a bit of a sobering moment for those who thought we might see a blooming of the relationship," said Harsh Pant, professor of international relations at King's College London.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence in 1947, and Washington's financial support to Pakistan Army and government is a constant irritant in New Delhi, where Kerry is widely seen as pro-Pakistan.
Anger over aid
Pakistan announced last week that the US ambassador had said a request had been made to Congress for a $532 million aid payment under an act co-authored by Kerry in 2009.
Washington denied that on Monday, but not before drawing India's ire.
"How the government of the United States of America decides to spend US tax payers' money is entirely its prerogative," foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said in a statement.
"However, India does not believe that Pakistan is showing 'sustained commitment'," against militants, he added.
State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said no request had been made to US Congress for a payment under the act, which requires Pakistan to cease support for extremist groups such as the Taliban and al Qaeda.
However, she said other funds were available to Pakistan.
In 2009, under the Kerry-authored act, the United States agreed to give an annual $1.5 billion to Pakistan, and in 2013 handed over the cash under a waiver despite what critics said was a lack of progress in countering militancy.
Funding for 2014, the last year of the four-year plan, has not yet been released, Psaki said.
Washington has for years been trying to encourage a rapprochement between India and Pakistan.
Relations were badly damaged in 2008 when a group of alleged Pakistani militants killed 166 people in a three-day rampage through the Indian city of Mumbai after landing by sea.
India's coast guard last week said four suspected militants blew themselves up in a boat in waters between the two countries, an account that has been questioned by Indian media and opposition parties, and denied by Pakistan.
"War-like"
At least 10 people have been killed since December 31 as tensions escalated on the border between India and Pakistan.
Tensions have been high since Modi called off peace talks in August, and border clashes have erupted intermittently since.
Indian and Pakistani security officials have not spoken since January 1 to reduce the violence, according to DK Pathak, director general of India's Border Security Force.
Pakistan has lost more lives and suffered more damage to property, he said.
"It is not a happy situation and we would like the restoration of normalcy as fast and soon as possible," said Pathak.
"But what can be done? If firing comes from their side we definitely have to respond."
Pakistan in turn accuses India of killing two of its men in an ambush on New Year's Eve. The foreign ministry also accused India of "unprovoked firing and targeting of civilians."
COMMENTS (25)
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ET mods - if you allow unsubstantiated claims by someone to be posted, please allow someone questuoning these irrational and unsubstantiated claims.
@WhataFarce!: "$62 Billion in IMF FUNDING is what put India on top of worlds’ aid for underdeveloped and poor countries for local economic development"
Please provide reference. The last time India went to IMF was in 1991. Since then Pakistan has gone to IMF 4 times.
" U.S, had proven time and again the TTP and Indian activities under the protection of Karzai Govt, that’s proven fact, Check CIA reports! "
I checked. I cold not find any such reference. Why do you not provide url? While I was looking I did come across a recent report by US Department of Defense to the Senate stating that Pakistan continues to use proxies against India and Afghanistan. http://711am.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/report-to-u-s-congress-reconfirms-pakistan-as-a-terror-hub/ The current news item which you are responding to also confirms that US does not believe Pakistan is taking strong action against proxies that attack neighbours.
@Bahadurkhan: Because in past, defense secretary used to report to Army Chief! Now you Say! The Whole Country is Dysfunctional, lol! That's like calling INDIA as a Totally Failed State because 3/4 Three Quarter of its population is in substandard living conditions, with no electric, running water or proper sanitation, no?
Somehow the goverment of Pakistan, is not in control of defence. Khwaza asif is a figure head. Army runs its own agenda. In this situation how does one expect to talk to Nawaz Sharif. The country is dysfunctional. A few years back defence secretary in Pakistan refused to report to parliament and minister. He reported to army chief.
$62 Billion in IMF FUNDING is what put India on top of worlds' aid for underdeveloped and poor countries for local economic development. India don't want to spend a dime on its poor and backward masses. Obama is only coming to India just like the poor fellow is sent to Germany by the Jewish Lobby to see Jewish Sufferings and give AID to Israel. He would rather do other work but Indian U.S, Lobby sending him to India, like a MARS rocket.... BIG DEAL! Believe me Pak won't miss a sunshine by not having Obama here! Modi is just showing off to Indian Poor Masses that Pakistanis don't care about! U.S, had proven time and again the TTP and Indian activities under the protection of Karzai Govt, that's proven fact, Check CIA reports! Indian investors have close to a $Trillion hidden outside that Modi is unable to retrieve. Hard working Pakis are at-least injecting back into the system from what ever they can share! That increases the standard of living one way or another.
@Gp65 Its more appropriate if you see speech of Ajit Doval......He stated India to take advanage of issue btw Pak and TTP and also stated if one more Mumbai then Pakistan will loose Baluchistan...How through India Pak will loose Baluchistan??? See the speech and get surprised.. Chuck Hagel Former Defence Secretary US stated ''India has always used Afghanistan as a ground to trouble Pakistan''
@WhataFarce!: U.S. Army caught many TTP agents in Afgh during their stay, who found to be working for India!
And USA did 9/11 on themselves!... Do you dream these up? because we see no links or credible sources or anything to suggest otherwise
@salman: India clearly said that it has no issues with what aid US chooses o provide Pakistan. It however objected to the claim by Pakistan that secretary of state of US has agreed that Pakistan is taking definitive actions against Haqqanis, Let and JeM. Since 2 out of these 3 entities target India and India bears the brunt of their venom, India had every right to object to such a certification. It turns out that the Pakistani claim of such a certification of false which vindicates India's stand of ongoing attempts at infiltration and support for terror groups within India.
@WhataFarce!: " Kerry or Obama are very disappointed in Modi Anti Pak activities. U.S. Army caught many TTP agents in Afgh during their stay, who found to be working for India! U,S, also kept a close watch on Indian Agencies active in Baluchistan and specially Karzai’s "
Please provide urls from independent sources that support even one of the things you have listed above. If US was so disappointed with India, Obama would nt have accepted o come to India on Republic Day. No one anywhere has got evidence that Indians were supporting TTP, because such evidence does not exist. The department of defense however has stated in briefing to the senate that Pakistan continues o fund and arm proxies against Afghanistan and India.
" $500 million is peanuts. We ExPats send 1200 million to Pak, double in cash, in A Month. what’s the Big Deal, here"
The money Pakistanis send is used by their family members. It cannot be used by the overnment to fill its budget deficit. That is the issue.
@WhataFarce!: You must be a close confidante of the US Armed Forces for them to tell you all about the Indian connections they found of the TTP! Foreign investment in the Indian economy last year totaled $43 billion, in spite of India's rank of 59. The ordinances the Govt. is bringing about on land, labor etc. should make India go higher up the list. BTW, just curious about Pakistan's position on the "Best Place .." list.
When Pakistan railways arranges special trains to the conference of an internationally declared terrorist ,their commitment towards suppressing terrorism is booed upon.It is always selective for Pakistan.
" However, she said other funds were available to Pakistan." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ So when Pakistan cannot meet anti terror criterion, other surreptitious means of releasing payment are used.So much for the certification process!
@Cynic Waheed "US and Afgh knows exactly which nation they need to engage if they want stability in the region!"
Two days ago there is an interview of Ashraf Ghani with CBS 60 minutes. There, he is saying that those whom want to destroy Afghanistan will destroy themselves in the process. It excludes India, they are building dames, schools, roads, power lines there. Besides it is honourable for brave Pakistan army to fight war with India in India not in Afghanistan.
Trade not Aid vs Begging for Aid +++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Reader you decide where Pakistan is.
@Jahangir Chauhan: Yes you are right.we Hindus can't wait to be ruled by you.you ruled us for 1000 years and it was peaceful. Please reign us again.
@cynic waheed
When you say 'our army' has gotten rid of India from Afghanistan I assume you mean the Taliban?
As long as you believe the TTP are Indian sponsored,then many more snakes in your back yard will bite you.
A strong prosperous, non terroist sponsering Pakistan is in everyone's interest, specially for your neighbours, including India, China, Afghanistan and Iran, who have all felt tremors from your good and bad terroist policy.
The world thinks a failed Libya,Somalia or Syria is bad , a failed Pakistan with 180,000,000 souls, soon to be 333,000,000 will destroy our world as we know it, borders will close,despite the suffering.
People like you, read English and have Internet access, you are the educated, privileged of Pakistan, please stop and think, do some research and save your nation for all our sakes.
Simon, Michigan, USA
The relationship between Pakistan's army and its strategic assets is well known, however the tide is now turning against any such links and against extremism both in the army and in the general public's views. Perhaps what the US and the world community needs to look at now is India's role in supporting militants in the form of TTP and baloch insurgents.
Howis itindias business what pakistan does with aid. Why dumb india is always trying to poke nose in other countries matter. Were they even able to capture bodo rebels who killed over 80 people and escaped. Its time india focus on its internal affairs before it realises its too late.in what part of india there arent separatist movements.
I"ndian and Pakistani security officials have not spoken since January 1 to reduce the violence, according to DK Pathak, director general of India’s Border Security Force. Pakistan has lost more lives and suffered more damage to property, he said. “It is not a happy situation and we would like the restoration of normalcy as fast and soon as possible,” said Pathak" Yes pathak we know you indians sole source of pride is how many lives lost. We suffered 4 civilian losses cuz your coward force attacked civilian homes directly not the inhuman act our army would engage in. How are you any different from israeli forces who target brazenly civilian abodes. Your army has a history of senseless violence ,how can one forget the brazen killing of innocent sikh pilgrim women and children by you in 1984. Someday God will give guys a good return back.
Kiyani and Pasha had been telling us through their cohorts that Kerry-Lugar Aid is bad for Pakistan. Why beg now?
LOL why should US care what India thinks about her relationship with Pakistan. Its completely Pak-US private deal so India needs to backoff unlike rather than crying and blackmailing US with their dehati aurut kinda tears
There is nothing for the Indians to cry over concerning Pakistan. The X-border infiltration is at the lowest levels yet the Indian government keeps on raving and ranting about it even as Assam and Naga are literally on fire with over 300,000 people displaced just within the past few months. Perhaps the focus needs to be on these areas rather than trying to distract Pakistan at a crucial time in our fight against militancy.
The only rallying cry in India is "bash Pakistan". Nothing gets the Indian support behind the below par performing GoI as well as a campaign to blame Pakistan for all of their ills. As long as the politicians keep the focus on external politics with Pakistan, nobody bothers with what is going on in Assam, how the economy has consistently underperformed and how unsafe it has become for tourists and investors alike in India. Yet the shining "Akhund India" campaign of Modi et-al continues on the back of Pakistan as the scapegoat.
The upside for Pakistan is that we will not be cowed down by the regional bully. If Modi wants to take military action, each and every action will be responded to forcefully so Modi has no illusions about cowing us down. Not going to happen, better to calm down and start talking.
@Cynic Waheed: Well said.furthermore declare India our official enemy no 1stop and exposed those onedit who were supporters and supporting 'aman ki ashalide dramas, they broke out east Pakistan baclick in 71'. Now they are trying to play almost on the same lines to create chaos and subversive elrkents like BLA,BRa Top,MQM, they have pelenetrated in out political parties out media only army is out of their target though they tried on Mental base atrtack but caught up quicult, be vigilant cause this enemy is very cunning dangerous like snake
@whataforce I won't get into your comments about India but India gets tons of foreign remittances.
We are talked about in circles only on the topics related to terrorism and security issues. India is talked about for business and economic development. Maintaining conforontations with India only takes us further downwards.
The supposed 'largest' democracy clearly has a 'small' heart!
India is out of the game from Afgh, regardless of whatever they do - Our army has gotten rid of them! And if I were an Indian, that would hurt me too!
Its OK - let them seethe! US and Afgh knows exactly which nation they need to engage if they want stability in the region! Bye Bye Indian sponsored TTP! You can just flare up LoC and at Working boundry! Beleuive us, once we are done with the western border - You, are going to pay for every soul that you have taken from the border. We cant wait to finish our business with India.
$50Billions was what last order of arms that India booked from foreign manufactures from the mouth of 700 million Hungry and poor masses of India. $500 million is peanuts. We ExPats send 1200 million to Pak, double in cash, in A Month. what's the Big Deal, here! Oh By the way,,,U.S is not going to do much business with India due to its position in "Best Place To Do Business" this year is 59th among other nations. Kerry or Obama are very disappointed in Modi Anti Pak activities. U.S. Army caught many TTP agents in Afgh during their stay, who found to be working for India! U,S, also kept a close watch on Indian Agencies active in Baluchistan and specially Karzai's corruption and stubbornness to eradicate extremism from Afgh. India is not willing to open its market to any country. It only want ONE WAY profit business.