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‘Tension with India diverting Pak focus from war on terror’

* Gilani tells James Jones US must use influence for resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue
* Jones says US committed to assisting Pakistan

By Sajjad Malik

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s focus in the war on terror is being affected because of persistent tension with archrival India, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Friday.

“While Pakistan is fully committed to taking to logical conclusion the ongoing operations against the Taliban, the country’s forces are over stretched because of perpetual tensions on the eastern border,” Gilani said at a meeting with US National Security Adviser Gen (r) James Jones.

The prime minister said the US should be “sensitive” to Pakistan’s core interests – including the Kashmir dispute, issues related to water, the Indian military’s capability and the balance of power in South Asia.

Use influence: He said the US should use its influence with India to resume the composite dialogue process and bring down tensions with Pakistan, to enable Islamabad to concentrate on the war on terror.

Gilani welcomed the US initiative to take Pakistan into confidence and seek its input in the ongoing review of the Afghan policy, but expressed concerns over the possible effects of a surge in US forces in Afghanistan, especially in Helmand.

He said Hillary Clinton agreed to the resumption of result-oriented strategic dialogue during her recent visit to Pakistan, and the dialogue should be scheduled for the immediate future.

Gilani noted that reimbursement of Pakistani claims from the Coalition Support Fund had been “inordinately delayed”.

Jones told Gilani that he was sent to Islamabad to convey to the leadership the US president’s sincere intention to pursue a long-term strategic partnership.

US committed: He said the US was committed to assisting Pakistan economically in the reconstruction of areas affected by terrorism and the capacity building of its forces.

Jones assured Gilani that his country would continue urging the Indian leadership to resume the composite dialogue process.

The US official also called on President Asif Ali Zardari, and discussed matters related to Pakistan’s struggle against militancy. Separately, Jones met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and conveyed a strong message of support from President Barack Obama for the Pak-US strategic partnership. Jones also met army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani to discuss various matters of mutual interest.

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