FO admits differences with US

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Thursday rejected the assertion made by Special US envoy Richard Holbrooke that India’s role was ‘critical’ in South Asia and said all states were equally important in efforts to resolve regional matters.
At a news conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, Holbrooke had 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.”
Answering a question on Holbrooke’s comments here at his weekly press briefing, the Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said, “All countries in the region are important and have a role to play in solving regional problems.”
He said that he would not use such terminology to describe the neighbouring country.
He said there was a need to opt for a regional approach when it came to addressing the root causes of terrorism. “Pakistan is hopeful the strategy review being conducted by the new US administration will lead to “fresh approaches” to tackle the root causes of terrorism,” Basit added.
Answering another question, he said Pakistan had conveyed the sentiments of its people to the US leadership on drone attacks with full force and the issue would be taken in the trilateral meeting being held in Washington in May.