Washington, Oct 21 (IANS): The US on Wednesday reiterated it has clearly told Islamabad that "existential threat to Pakistan is not India; the existential threat to Pakistan involves extremism within its own borders".
It also said that Pakistan, India and Iran can play a "constructive role" in a regional solution to Afghanistan.
"We have made no secret of the fact that we've told Pakistan clearly that we believe that the existential threat to Pakistan is not India; the existential threat to Pakistan involves extremism within its own borders," State Department spokesman PJ Crowley told reporters on Wednesday.
On Afghanistan, he said: "We are supporting an Afghan-led process. We recognise that ultimately, the solution in Afghanistan involves effective military action, but also involves political reconciliation."
"But to the extent that the solution to Afghanistan does involve a regional solution, we recognize that Pakistan, India, Iran, other countries have an interest in a stable Afghanistan and can play a constructive role."
Crowley's comments came as US and Pakistani officials began three days of strategic talks covering a wide range of issues, including defence, economic, agricultural and infrastructure development, as well as building government institutions.
Asked if the reported $2 billion new military assistance package for Pakistan would set off an arms race with India, he said: It's not about an arms race. We have had discussions with Pakistan to build up their capabilities, but also how to direct those capabilities."
