New Delhi: The US is not pushing New Delhi to resume talks with Islamabad. Making this clear in a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday, US Under Secretary of State William Burns said that Washington considers India a close partner.
Burns, who was carrying a letter from President Barack Obama for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, went on to defend the US decision to fund Pakistan fight terror.
Burns is on a four-day visit to prepare for Hillalry Clinton's visit later. He was carrying a personal letter from Clinton to Manmohan Singh. The letter has been given to External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.
The US envoy also met Leader of Opposition LK Advani on Thursday. He is expected to meet National Security Adviser MK Narayanan and discuss various security issues and intelligence cooperation between the two countries.
India has also conveyed to Burns its concerns with regard to Pakistan.
India put a pause on the slow-moving peace talks after tension sharply rose between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following November attacks on Mumbai by Pakistan-based terrorists.