Pak has taken initial steps on anti-India groups: US Defence Secy nominee

Mark Esper said he would advocate for the Department of Defense to maintain the right set of tools and authorities to maintain decision space and flexibility in America’s policy approach

U S Defence Secretary nominee Mark Esper has said Pakistan had taken initial and promising steps against anti-Indian groups, adding that he would use all possible tools to promote a change in Islamabad’s strategic approach to the region.

Esper said the president’s South Asia Strategy recognises Pakistan as a key partner in advancing US interests in the region, including developing a political settlement in Afghanistan, defeating the Al-Qaeda and the ISIS-K, providing logistical access and enhancing regional stability.

“We have seen Pakistan take some constructive steps on Afghan reconciliation. Pakistan has also taken initial, promising steps against anti-Indian groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which threaten regional stability,” Esper told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.

“It is difficult to assess whether the security assistance suspension itself has driven these constructive actions, or whether progress on Afghan reconciliation and the escalation following the Pulwama terrorist attack have also influenced Pakistan’s calculations,” Esper noted in a written response to questions submitted ahead of his confirmation hearing.

Esper said he would advocate for the Department of Defense to maintain the right set of tools and authorities to maintain decision space and flexibility in America’s policy approach, in order to maintain a “bridge back” for Pakistan. “If confirmed, I would aim to make use of all of the tools at our disposal to promote a change in Pakistan’s strategic approach to the region,” he said…