Rex Tillerson and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj hold talks in New Delhi
India and the US today told Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil, asserting that terror havens inside that country would not be tolerated. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, after holding wide-ranging talks in New Delhi, said Islamabad needed to take concrete action against terror groups to ensure peace and security in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.
Mr Tillerson said he has asked the Pakistani leadership to take action against terror groups and an enhancement in their capabilities may pose a threat to the government in Islamabad.
"Terror havens will not be tolerated," Mr Tillerson said at a joint press conference with Ms Swaraj.
Ms Swaraj said Pakistan must dismantle terror infrastructure, insisting that any country backing terror groups must be held accountable. A host of issues, including ways to further boost defence and security cooperation and ramp up trade ties, were between Ms Swaraj and Mr Tillerson.
The US Secretary of State said the Trump administration was ready to share its best technology for India's military modernisation, adding that it looked forward to discussing deals for F-16 and F-18 fighter jets with New Delhi.
He said India was crucial to US-Afghanistan strategy and his government was looking at strengthening cooperation with India in the Indo-Pacific region.
Ms Swaraj said she raised the issue of H-1B visa with him and requested Mr Tillerson not to take action that might adversely affect Indians.