The National Security Adviser of United States, General James Jones, said on Thursday that attacks like last year's deadly siege in Mumbai must be prevented and vowed to help Pakistan and India improve their relations to combat the militant threat.
General James Jones held talks in Islamabad on Thursday with President Asif Ali Zardari and other top government and military officials on topics ranging from Afghanistan to Pakistan's domestic fight against the Taliban and Islamabad's relations with New Delhi.
In an interview broadcast on a television channel, General James Jones said that India and Pakistan were at a "very, very important moment" in their relationship, which was progressing in the "right direction."
He said the US would be as helpful as possible to both Pakistan and India in combating militant extremism, and stressed that another "Mumbai style attack cannot be allowed to happen."
In his talks with Pakistan's leaders, Jones reiterated the United States' strong support for Pakistan in its battle with Taliban militants, and discussed Washington's revamped strategy for the volatile region.
Pakistan and India have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947, and India alleges militants trained in Pakistan were behind attacks, including last November's Mumbai assault that killed 166 people.
Talks aimed at improving ties between the two countries were suspended after the Mumbai attack, though tentative moves were made last week to resume them.
The rapprochement is threatened, however, by disagreements over how to deal with suspects in the attack.
A court in Mumbai this week issued arrest warrants for 22 Pakistani suspects in the attack and said they should be extradited to face trial. Islamabad has signalled it will not hand over any suspects but will try them in Pakistan if India delivers sufficient evidence against them.
Jones, who visited Afghanistan before coming to Pakistan, is in India on Friday.
