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While backing India’s anti-terror stance, top US General highlights strategic importance of Pakistan in regional security
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The United States has reiterated its strong support to India in the global fight against terrorism, but a senior American military official has also underlined the continued importance of ties with Pakistan, particularly in efforts to counter ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K).
In a recent briefing, a top US military general emphasized that while Washington stands firmly with New Delhi on counter-terrorism, it must also maintain working relations with Islamabad to ensure regional stability and contain terror networks operating in and around Afghanistan.
“Our partnership with India in counter-terrorism remains unwavering,” said the general. “At the same time, cooperation with Pakistan plays a critical role in tracking and neutralizing ISIS-K elements, who pose a serious threat to global security.”
The statement reflects the complex balancing act the US faces in South Asia, where strategic interests often intersect with sensitive geopolitical realities. India has consistently raised concerns over cross-border terrorism and has called on the international community to hold sponsors of terror accountable.
While the US has bolstered defence and intelligence cooperation with India in recent years, especially under bilateral mechanisms like the Quad, it continues to rely on Pakistan for intelligence and logistics support in operations against terrorist factions active in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
Indian officials have taken note of the US remarks, reiterating their position that terror and diplomacy cannot go hand in hand. However, observers say Washington’s dual-track approach is likely to continue, as it seeks to manage both regional partnerships and broader counter-terror efforts.
As the threat of ISIS-K resurfaces in global security discussions, both India and Pakistan find themselves once again at the heart of a larger strategic equation involving major powers.