NEW DELHI: While India is yet to take a decision on foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan after the Pathankot terror attack, the US feels any engagement between the two nations would depend on action taken by Pakistan against the perpetrators of the attack.
In his statement before a US Senate Committee, James R Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, said relations between Pakistan and India remained tense despite the resumption of bilateral dialogue in December. Clapper said after the Pathankot air base attack the talks would depend on action taken by Pakistan. “ ..India’s engagement with Pakistan will probably hinge in 2016 on Islamabad’s willingness to take action against those in Pakistan linked to the attack,” he said in a statement before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Clapper is not the only top US official apprehensive of the free run of terror outfits in Pakistan and the adverse impact on relationships with neighbouring countries. Lieutenant General Vincent R Stewart, Director, US Defence Intelligence Agency warned that any largescale terrorist attack in India could once again escalate the tension with little warning.