United States Pakistan bill ignores Indian concerns

The Kerry-Lugar bill, which triples US aid to Islamabad, seems to have ignored New Delhi’s concern about use of Pakistani soil for terror attacks in India, even as it requires presidential certification that the Pakistan Army is making “concerted efforts” against Taliban.

The bill, which was unanimously passed by the US Senate on Wednesday, requires annual certification from the US President that the Pakistani security forces are “making concerted efforts to prevent the Taliban from using the territory of Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to launch attacks within Afghanistan.”

By doing so, the Kerry-Lugar bill, which is supported by the Obama Administration, indicates that its focus is on Afghanistan and appears to be mute on the terrorist attacks.

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Pakistan using US anti-terror funds to prepare for war against India: Obama

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said that Pakistan is using US aid meant for the war on terror to “prepare for a war against India”. He will hold Islamabad accountable for these massive funds and increase pressure to bust terrorist safe havens if he becomes President, Obama said on Fox News.

“What we can do is stay focused on Afghanistan and put more pressure on the Pakistanis,” Obama said, adding the US was providing Pakistan military aid “without having enough strings attached”.

“So they’re using the military aid... Pakistan... They’re preparing for a war against India.

“What we say is, look, we’re going to provide them with additional military support, targeted at terrorists, and we’re going to help build their democracy.... We’ve wasted 10 billion dollars with Musharraf without holding them accountable for knocking out those safe havens.”

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