
PM Modi will pursue peace with Pakistan if the latter stops supporting terror, the US has said (File)
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US comments come ahead of Rex Tillerson's India, Pak visit next week
'We want India and Pakistan to talk,' said US official
It's clear PM Modi wants peace in the region, said the official
"It's clear to everyone that Prime Minister Modi wants peace in the region, but he can't pursue peace (with Pakistan) in a way that cuts against his own security. So that (having peace talks with Pakistan) is up to his judgement," the senior official in the Trump administration, who asked not to be named, said yesterday.
"We want India and Pakistan to talk. We think that is so important for them to talk and to build confidence and to get on a path to regional security and stability which we know would bring both countries to unprecedented levels of prosperity," he said.
Noting that South Asia and the bridge in central Asia is one of the least economically integrated areas of the world, he said there is tremendous potential to be unleashed.
"And what we hope is that the dialogue, continued dialogue, continued efforts to generate a higher degree of understanding to convince those in Pakistan, including the Pakistani army, that it is really in their interest to build confidence to open commerce and to achieve the kind of peace that would lead to prosperity," the official said.

Rex Tillerson has said the US wants to ensure long-term stability in Pakistan (File)
India's policy now is "talks and terror" cannot go together, as was articulated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in parliament, which has been repeated several times since then, the official said.
"I think India has to make its own judgement on that. And India will be the best judge. Certainly, President (Donald) Trump has great respect for Prime Minister Modi and his wisdom, and leadership ability," the official added.
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