US has never propped up India: Gates

Defense Secretary Robert Gates

WASHINGTON: United States has dismissed Pakistani perceptions that it was propping India, saying that New Delhi "did not need us for that purpose" and has advocated that the two neighbors resolve their differences bilaterally.

"I would tell you that the United States clearly has not or has ever propped up India. India has not needed us for that purpose and, in fact, those familiar with the history would know that our relationship with India was fairly strained until not too many years ago," Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said.

Gates comments came in response to questions fired at him during his recent visit to Pakistan, full transcript of which have released by the Pentagon.

In his exchanges with Indian and Pakistani leaders, Gates said both the countries had said they would like to resolve the differences bilaterally.

"Having an open and candid and completely transparent dialogue... seems to be the best way to avoid misunderstanding," Gates said in key remarks as New Delhi and Islamabad are set to resume their stalled bilateral talks.

He said there were misgivings both in Islamabad and New Delhi on the role the two countries were playing in Afghanistan and it was essential that in any future dialogue such a misunderstanding should be cleared.

He also suggested that India and Pakistan could deal with the suspicions through back channel discussions.