Washington: The US State Department has said it maintains “good” relations with both India and Pakistan and that American envoys are committed to engaging with both nations.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters on Tuesday that working with both countries is beneficial for the region and the world and could lead to a “fruitful future.”
She said, “Our relationship with both countries remains the same as before, which is a good thing, and that’s the advantage of having a president who knows everyone, talks to everyone. It is clear that the ambassadors here are committed to both countries.”
Her remarks came in response to a question about the possibility of increased US arms sales to Pakistan following a meeting between Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and US president Donald Trump. Bruce was also asked whether such moves could come at the cost of Trump’s relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Referring to the military conflict between India and Pakistan in May, Bruce said, “We clearly experienced the conflict between Pakistan and India that could have been quite terrible.”
She also cited a recent peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, noting that dialogue had previously resolved disputes between countries such as Cambodia and Thailand, Israel and Iran, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India and Pakistan, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Serbia and Kosovo.
Meanwhile, US Senator Marco Rubio said in an interview on Tuesday that Trump deserves credit for helping to end multiple conflicts around the world.
