Joint Indo-Pak statement an important step: US

WASHINGTON: The United States today said the joint statement issued by India and Pakistan, following the meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two nations on the sidelines of NAM Summit at Sharm El-Sheikh, is "an important step towards the stability in the region".

"The meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh and the statement between the Indian leader and the Pakistani leader in terms of cooperation on terrorism (is) vitally important to stability in the region," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip J Crowley told reporters.

He said the Obama Administration recognises that it was ultimately greater integration among the countries in the region, working on common challenges, regional challenges, finding new structures to be able to expand this cooperation.

"That will be how the region ultimately overcomes the challenges that it's facing," Crowley said.

After the announcement of Af-Pak policy in late March, he said the US has been engaged in diplomacy with the two countries. Besides travelling to India now, US Secretary of States Hillary Clinton would be visiting Pakistan later this year.