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US to consider China’s views on Indo-Pak peace

* Blake acknowledges China has important role in South Asia’s security, stability

WASHINGTON: A senior US diplomat has renewed Washington’s pledge that it would listen to China’s views on promoting peace between Pakistan and India, while US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Robert Blake has also acknowledged China’s role in forging security and stability in South Asia – both in the Pakistan-India and Pakistan-Afghanistan perspectives.

“China has a very important role to play – like many other countries, we are consulting them ...it is important to get views of China on this very important question. We value their advice. China also has important stakes in the stability of Afghanistan. So it is only natural we will consult them,” said Blake.

He spoke a day after the US and China recognised in a joint statement that Beijing had an important role in helping improve relations between Pakistan and India.

“Both. We want to get their (Chinese) views on both of them,” said Blake when asked to clarify if the US wanted to a Chinese role in promoting peace and stability in the Pakistan-Afghanistan region or on the Pakistan-India front or both.

New Delhi has bristled at suggestions that Beijing should play an important role in promoting peace and stability between Pakistan and India.

Separately, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns said Washington was supportive of the resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan through dialogue.

“Of course, we all share an interest in stability and peace between India and Pakistan. We all know the stakes,” Burns told a think-tank, days ahead of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Washington.

“America has always supported the two countries’ peace process and the resolution of outstanding disputes through dialogue,” he said, reaffirming the US policy to back a negotiated settlement of issues between the two nations.

However, Burns said, “The pace, scope and content of the peace process is for Indian and Pakistani leaders to decide.” app

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