US backs India stand on Pak

Washington, Sept. 10: Ahead of a crucial meeting between Mr Chidambaram and secretary of state, Ms Hillary Clinton, the Obama Administration came out in support of India's stand on pre-conditions for talks with Pakistan. Assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, Mr Robert Blake, said the progress made by Pakistan in bringing the perpetrators of 26/11 to justice and stopping cross border infiltration would lay the basis of resumption of talks between the two south Asian neighbours.
Enhanced co-operation between India and US on tackling terrorism particularly in South Asia and Pakistan’s role in the region, dominated the deliberations of the Union home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, with top officials of Obama Administration on Thursday.
Pakistan’s role regarding its action against the perpetrators of 26/11 is believed to have come up prominently when Mr Chidambaram met the National Security Adviser General James Jones at the White House.
General Jones was recently in India and has been in favour of enhanced cooperation between the two countries in counter-terrorism operations and measures. Mr Chidambaram also met the Homeland Security secretary, Ms Janet Napolitano and the US attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr early on Thursday morning.
He also had a meeting with Senator Dianne Feinstein, the chairwoman of Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.