US defence secretary-elect terms Pakistan 'essential partner'
General Lloyd Austin lauds the country's steps for Afghan peace process; vows to deter 'regional actors'
Web DeskJanuary 20, 2021
Retired Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 19. PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON:
US defence secretary-elect former General Lloyd Austin on Wednesday termed Pakistan '
an essential partner' in the Afghan peace process, saying he will deter regional actors from spoiling the peace of the region, in an apparent reference to arch-rivals India.
"Pakistan is an essential partner in any peace process in Afghanistan," Gen Austin said while responding to a question regarding his policy as the top defence official of the country.
He added, "If confirmed, I will encourage a regional approach that garners support from neighbors like Pakistan, while also deterring regional actors, from serving as spoilers to the Afghanistan peace process."
“Pakistan will play an important role in any political settlement in Afghanistan.”
Lauding
Pakistan's role in the regional peace process, Gen Austin said, "I understand Pakistan has taken constructive steps to meet US requests in support of the Afghanistan peace process. Pakistan has also taken steps against anti-Indian groups, such as Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, although this progress is incomplete."
He noted that "many factors in addition to the security assistance suspension may impact Pakistan’s cooperation, including Afghanistan negotiations and the dangerous escalation following the
Pulwama attack."
The former US Central Command commander added that he would focus on shared interests between Washington and Islamabad “which include training future Pakistan military leaders through the use of International Military Education and Training funds”.
Trump had suspended Pakistan participation in the IMET program in August 2018. The US administration later resumed the facility afforded to military officers from Pakistan in December 2019.
IMET affords spaces to foreign military officers at US military education institutions, such as the US Army War College and the US Naval War College.
However, the former four-star general maintained that he “will press Pakistan” to prevent its territory from being used by militants or other violent organisations” and said he would continue to build relationships with Pakistani military to “provide openings for the United States and Pakistan to cooperate on key issues”.
On December 7, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden chose retired General Lloyd Austin, who oversaw U.S. forces in the Middle East under President Barack Obama, to be his defense secretary.
US defence secretary-elect General Lloyd Austin has termed Pakistan 'an essential partner' in the Afghan peace process.
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