Terror groups threatening stability of Pakistan govt: Tillerson after talks with Sushma

External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson discussed several aspects of the India-US bilateral relation in a meeting earlier in the day.

Too many terror groups find safe haven in Pakistan and such sanctuaries will not be tolerated, the American secretary of state Rex Tillerson said during a press conference with India’s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at Ghandhi at Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi on Wednesday.(PTI)

The comments by Tillerson, though expected, represent a diplomatic victory for India which has called on Washington and other world leaders to get Pakistan to rein in militant groups.

The terror groups are “now threatening stability of the Pakistani government,” Tillerson said, urging its partner to work together to defeat militancy.

“We want to work with Pakistan in a positive way as we think this is in their interest in longer term”.

Tillerson is visiting India after he made a trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The US secretary of state said that he had a very “open and frank exchange with Pakistan leaders in Islamabad yesterday, conveyed to Pak the expectations we have”, ANI reported.

Swaraj and Tillerson held a meeting earlier in the day where they discussed several aspects of the India-US bilateral relation. They discussed Afghanistan, military cooperation and North Korea.

Swaraj told Tillerson that New Delhi wanted to retain its small embassy in North Korea despite Washington’s efforts to isolate Pyongyang over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

She said India believed a diplomatic presence in North Korea was necessary to keep lines of communication open.

Swaraj said she also raised the issue of H1B visa with him and requested Tillerson not to take action that might adversely affect Indians.

On Afghanistan, Tillerson said India was crucial to USA’s strategy.

The US Secretary of State said the Trump administration was ready to share its best technology for India’s military modernisation, adding that it looked forward to discussing deals for F16 and F18 fighter jets with New Delhi.