US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday pressed Pakistan to do more to ensure its territory is not used as “launching pad” by terror groups for attacks and also said that Hafiz Sayeed was “one of the “principal architects” of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Hillary’s comments came at a joint news conference after her talks with external affairs minister SM Krishna who spoke of the need for elimination of “terrorist sanctuaries” in the neighbourhood.
“Combating violent extremism is something we all agree on…Pakistan should do more in ensuring that terrorists don’t make use as launching pads anywhere including to attack the country and outside. The unfortunate thing is the attacks have taken the lives of 30,000 Pakistanis,” Clinton said.
To a question on Saeed, the US’s top diplomat said her country has reason to believe that the JuD chief was one of the “principal architects” of the Mumbai attack that took the lives of 166 people.
“We have issued this reward. We had earlier been successful. This is not unique. This is not a special case,” she said.
“Bounty on Hafiz Saeed was to show solidarity with the people of India,” she said.
In his remarks, Krishna said the recent terrorist attacks in Afghan capital capital highlighted the need for elimination of terrorist sanctuaries in the neighbournood and for Pakistan to take steps against terrorism, including bringing to justice the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks.
Clinton also said Pakistan needs to fight terror for its own people and she expects Pakistan to do more to counter terrorism.
US, India think alike on Iran: Clinton
The US and India share the goal of preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear weapons state, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.
She said Iran is unlikely to discuss the issue with other countries if there is no international pressure.
“We want to prevent Iran from procuring a nuclear weapon,” she said. “As I said in Kolkata, we don’t believe Iran will be back on the negotiation table until there is unrelenting pressure.
“This pressure must stay on.”
Clinton commended India for the steps its refineries were taking to reduce fuel imports from Iran.
Krishna said he had conveyed to Clinton India’s soaring energy needs and the reasons why it was continuing to trade with Iran.
