With Pakistan-based terrorists continuing to be involved in criminal activities against India, New Delhi wants the Biden administration in Washington to give Islamabad a strong message on terrorism immediately. “While the US continues to be focused on Ukraine and Russia amid the ongoing war, it is ignoring “terror-exporting” Pakistan, which is what is upsetting for India,” diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian. “While listing Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria as state sponsors of terrorism, Washington should at least be critical of Pakistan in the harshest possible manner for shielding terrorists,” sources said.
“India has apprised Washington of its feelings through diplomatic channels. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also communicate the same to his counterpart Antony Blinken whenever the two hold talks,” sources said, adding, “A telephonic talk between Jaishankar and Blinken is likely soon.”
In fact, during an event few months ago, Jaishankar had categorically said that “a lot
of India’s problems with Pakistan are directly attributable to the support that the United States gave to Pakistan. Jaishankar’s comments had then come in the wake of Pakistan-based terrorists continuing to instigate and arm extremists in Jammu and Kashmir. “EAM still holds the same views regarding the US’ approach to Pakistan. Stopping short of criticizing Pakistan over terrorism, Washington keeps terming Islamabad as its partner. What kind of war on terrorism is this?”
An official in the MEA says, “Jaishankar’s strong pitch against terrorism in all its manifestations at SCO Foreign Ministers’ conclave in Tashkent should have been appreciated by the US immediately so as to give a message to Pakistan on this issue. But unfortunately, there was no word, let alone a statement from Blinken as was expected by India.” The Joe Biden administration has been repeatedly emphasizing on zero-tolerance towards terrorism. Jaishankar has underlined the same, so Blinken could have issued a statement supporting his Indian counterpart, says an official.
Indian diplomats recall a senior US Congressman moving a bill in the House of Representatives demanding that Pakistan be designated as a state sponsor of terror. India through diplomatic channels had extended its appreciation for this move. What is more significant is that a Congressional report in the US had said that Pakistan is home to at least 12 groups designated as foreign terrorist organisations including five of them being India-centric like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. “With all these facts in the background, the Biden administration should come heavily down on Pakistan over its failure to rein in terrorism,” diplomats assert.