Progress in India-Pakistan ties hindered by cross-border violence: US Army General Lloyd J Austin

WASHINGTON: Progress in India-Pakistan ties has been hindered by cross-border violence and territorial disputes, but leaders of both the countries have demonstrated commitment to reinitiate the comprehensive dialogue, a top Pentagon commander has said.

"Progress on the India-Pakistan relationship is hindered by cross-border violence and territorial disputes," General Lloyd J Austin, Commander of US Central Command told members of the Senate Armed Service Committee during a Congressional hearing yesterday.

"However, there have been some encouraging signs and lines of communication remain open as demonstrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's meeting in Pakistan in late December 2015 and the subsequent commitment to reinitiate the Comprehensive Dialogue," Austin said.

"Dialogue between the two countries is critical especially given that they are both nuclear powers," Austin said.

The US Central Command will continue to do its part to help encourage and strengthen the critical relationship between Pakistan and its neighbours, Austin added.