Pak rejects India’s role in Af-Pak

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected US Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke's assertion that India has a "critical role" to play in South Asia, saying all countries in the region were equally important in efforts to resolve regional issues.

Asked about Holbrooke's comments on India's key role in the region, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told a news briefing that he would not use such terminology to describe the neighboring country.

"All countries in the region are important and have a role to play in solving regional problems," he said.

Basit emphasized the need for a regional approach to address the root causes of terrorism and extremism. He said Pakistan is hopeful the strategy review being conducted by the new US administration would lead to "fresh approaches" to tackle the root causes of terrorism.

Addressing a news conference in New Delhi, Holbrooke had referred to the situation in the region and said: "Leadership is absolutely vital and India plays a critical role in that regard... We cannot settle Afghanistan and many other world problems without India's full involvement".
Holbrooke and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, traveled to India after visiting Afghanistan and Pakistan. Sharp differences over US drone attacks in Pakistan's lawless tribal areas emerged during their meetings with Pakistani leaders including Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Basit said Pakistan's concerns on drone attacks had been conveyed to Holbrooke and Mullen. The sentiments of the Pakistani people on the issue had been conveyed to the American leadership with "full force" and it will be taken up again during a meeting of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US to be held in Washington in May, he added.

"Foreign Minister Qureshi has made it clear to Ambassador Holbrooke and Admiral Mullen during his meeting with them that drone attacks are a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty," Basit said.

Pakistan had reiterated that the drone attacks are counter-productive and the matter has been raised at the highest level. The issue of drone strikes was one of the disagreements between Pakistan and US, he added.

Asked about Pakistan seeking a timeframe for ending the missile strikes, the spokesman said such things are not feasible at the diplomatic level.

"Our engagement with US is to protect our sovereignty," he said, noting that Pakistan had also sought drone technology and intelligence-sharing from the Americans.