US wants Pak to have dialogue with neighbours

The United States wants Pakistan to have dialogue with its neighbours to resolve differences, a top State Department official has said underlining that the country's ties in the region have seen "some ups and downs".
"We do believe, frankly, that Pakistan's relations with its neighbours and with the region - frankly, there's been some ups and downs, but we believe it's trending towards greater dialogue to resolve differences. We want to see that continue," State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said.
Responding to a question on the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, Toner said in these arms transfers, the US takes into account regional security and "a range of other factors."

"We believe our security assistance does contribute to a more stable and secure Pakistan and region," he told reporters.
"We believe the F-16s are the right platform to support Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts, and have been a part of the successful pushback or in past operations against some of the militant groups that are active in Pakistan," Toner said.
The US is not able to sell eight F-16s to Pakistan under a military grant because of a hold on it in the Senate.

Lawmakers want Pakistan to take action against the dreaded Haqqani network, for use of any taxpayers' money towards the sale of the F-16s to Pakistan.

"We continue to urge actions to combat and de-legitimise
terrorist groups like LeT, and Haqqani Network, Jaish-E-Mohammed.
So, this is something that we're obviously keenly focused on," Kirby said in response to a question.
Counter-terrorism co-operation, he said, is something that the United States is always working at with its partners in the region.
"We're always trying to get better at combating terrorism in the region.
There are many ways you can do that, you know, through information sharing regimens and increasing communication between all parties involved," he said.
But he refused to entertain question on if there was any co-operation between India and the United States on the latest Indian operation.

"I don't have a specific laundry list here to read out to you because, frankly, it's something that we've been constantly working at with our partners in the region," he said.
Kirby said America's message to both sides has been the same in terms of encouraging them to increase communication to deal with this threat and to avoid steps that escalate the tensions.
"I think I'm not going to get into characterising each and every step along the way there.
"But obviously, what we want to see is increased cooperation against what is a very shared common threat for both countries, and to see steps being taken to deal with it by all sides," Kirby said.

Meanwhile the US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma, who was in Washington DC has rushed back to New Delhi.
"As far as I know, he's returning to New Delhi. My understanding is that he believed that it was, appropriate for him to go back.
"We continue to urge actions to combat and de-legitimise
terrorist groups like LeT, and Haqqani Network, Jaish-E-Mohammed.
So, this is something that we're obviously keenly focused on," Kirby said in response to a question.
Counter-terrorism co-operation, he said, is something that the United States is always working at with its partners in the region.
"We're always trying to get better at combating terrorism in the region.

There are many ways you can do that, you know, through information sharing regimens and increasing communication between all parties involved," he said.
But he refused to entertain question on if there was any co-operation between India and the United States on the latest Indian operation.
"I don't have a specific laundry list here to read out to you because, frankly, it's something that we've been constantly working at with our partners in the region," he said.
Kirby said America's message to both sides has been the same in terms of encouraging them to increase communication to deal with this threat and to avoid steps that escalate the tensions.

"I think I'm not going to get into characterising each and every step along the way there.
"But obviously, what we want to see is increased cooperation against what is a very shared common threat for both countries, and to see steps being taken to deal with it by all sides," Kirby said.
Meanwhile the US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma, who was in Washington DC has rushed back to New Delhi.
"As far as I know, he's returning to New Delhi. My understanding is that he believed that it was, appropriate for him to go back.
"We continue to urge actions to combat and de-legitimise

terrorist groups like LeT, and Haqqani Network, Jaish-E-Mohammed.
So, this is something that we're obviously keenly focused on," Kirby said in response to a question.
Counter-terrorism co-operation, he said, is something that the United States is always working at with its partners in the region.
"We're always trying to get better at combating terrorism in the region.
There are many ways you can do that, you know, through information sharing regimens and increasing communication between all parties involved," he said.
But he refused to entertain question on if there was any co-operation between India and the United States on the latest Indian operation.

"I don't have a specific laundry list here to read out to you because, frankly, it's something that we've been constantly working at with our partners in the region," he said.
Kirby said America's message to both sides has been the same in terms of encouraging them to increase communication to deal with this threat and to avoid steps that escalate the tensions.
"I think I'm not going to get into characterising each and every step along the way there.
"But obviously, what we want to see is increased cooperation against what is a very shared common threat for both countries, and to see steps being taken to deal with it by all sides," Kirby said.

Meanwhile the US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma, who was in Washington DC has rushed back to New Delhi.
"As far as I know, he's returning to New Delhi. My understanding is that he believed that it was, appropriate for him to go back.
"He has got a big job. There a lot of responsibilities that come with it. And, obviously it's a very dynamic situation and he felt it was prudent to go back. We support that," Kirby said.