The assertion by the US came after President Barack Obama held wide-ranging talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday even as it "categorically ruled out" any kind of negotiations with Islamabad on India-type civil nuclear deal, terming the reports in American media "completely false".
"We have been very clear with the Pakistani government that in implementing that commitment, Pakistan must take action against all militant groups without discriminating," White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz said after the talks, welcoming Pakistan's commitment as part of the national action plan not to discriminate amongst terrorist groups.
After the more than 90-minute meeting, Sharif said his government is committed to take action against terrorists.
"We know what is in our national interest," he told reporters when asked if he would fulfil his commitment to take action against Pakistan-based LeT.
"It's our national responsibility to take action against all elements of terrorism. This is part of our National Action Plan," he said.
"(Currently) there are no bilateral talks (between India and Pakistan) on resolving the Kashmir issue. In that scenario there should be a third party meditation on this. If India does not accept a third party role, if there is no bilateral talks then there is a stalemate," Sharif said.
"This stalemate needs to be addressed," the Prime Minister said in response to a question.
But a senior US official asserted that the best way to resolve issues is through direct dialogue between the two neighbours.
"(During the meeting) we affirmed the US commitment that we would be engaged only if this is something that India and Pakistan would like. This is not any change in any policy of the United States," he said.
India has rejected any third party intervention to the Kashmir issue and has maintained that all outstanding matters in the Indo-Pak ties should be resolved bilaterally.
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