The United States today raised concerns of possible terror attacks in India engineered by Pakistan based terror outfits in retaliation to India’s move to abrogate Article 370, stripping away the separate status of Jammu and Kashmir and the subsequent bifurcation of the state into two union territories for exercising tighter control.
The US intelligence agencies have observed that Pakistan based terror organisations might launch terror attacks in India unless Pakistan “keep a lid on these terror groups”.
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Randall Shriver, while responding to a question on China’s support to Pakistan on the issue of Kashmir after India repealed articles 370 and 35A of its Constitution that gave temporary special privileges to Jammu and Kashmir said, “I believe that many want Pakistan to keep a lid on terror groups that might conduct cross-border activities as a result of the Kashmir decisions, and I don’t get the impression that China wants that kind of escalation or would support that.”
Shriver further continued saying that Chinese support to Pakistan on Kashmir is largely diplomatic and political in nature. “Chinese have resolutely supported Pakistan on international forums. There are discussions ongoing if Kashmir would be taken up in the UN. China would support that. But in terms of anything beyond that, it is highly improbable to me,” the Pentagon official said.
Regarding the relationship between China and Pakistan, Shriver said that they have has long-established ties with each other and are facing stiff competition from India. He also added that India is seeking a stable relationship with China.
“We have discussed with India about our relationship with China. They want a stable relationship with China, but there’s no doubt that there are rising concerns and competitiveness there as well. So I believe on a range of issues to include Kashmir, China has titled towards Pakistan,” Shriver said.
In addition to this, Shriver also remarked upon the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s ongoing visit saying that the United States is having consultations with him.
Ever since India abrogated Article 370 from its Constitution, Pakistan has been jockeying at international forums and requesting countries to condemn India’s move and pressurise her into revoking its decision. However, most of the countries have disregarded Pakistan’s shrill rhetoric.
