The United States has declined to support the Indian army’s foray this week into Myanmar reportedly to hunt militants, when a State Department spokesman was asked whether Washington backed India’s move that has escalated New Delhi-Islamabad tensions.
I don’t have a comment on that specific operation, US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke told reporters on Friday when specifically asked if the US supported or was concerned over India’s cross-border strike in Myanmar, a move that has raised serious concern in Pakistan.
While declining to comment on the operation, Rathke, added, we encourage India and Pakistan to take steps to reduce tensions and to move towards resuming talks.
By suggesting the Myanmar incident could set a precedent for more cross-border raids, including into Azad Kashmir, an Indian minister took the row one step further.
Information minister Rajyavardhan Rathore said Indian forces had pushed deep into Myanmar for an anti-militant operation.
He called the operation a “message†to countries such as Pakistan that it will not hesitate to pursue threats beyond its borders.
We will strike when we want to, Rathore, a retired army officer.
Reacting to these provocative statements, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the people of Pakistan and he were dismayed by the recent irresponsible and imprudent statements made by the Indian political leadership.
Very bad news often follows when adversaries give up on improved relations, Michael Krepon, co-founder of the Stimson Center in Washington, wrote in a blogpost on the Arms Control Wonk.
We’re at this juncture now on the Subcontinent, added Krepon, an expert on nuclear security in South Asia.
Source from India Defence News.
