ISLAMABAD - Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Sunday expressed his optimism that US President Barack Obama’s visit to India will help reduce tension in the region.
Talking to reporters here, Aziz said the cherished goal of progress and prosperity in the region cannot be achieved without good relations between Pakistan and India.
The adviser said peace in the region is in the interest of everyone.
He said the US Secretary of State John Kerry was apprised of Pakistan’s reservations on various issues during his recent visit to Islamabad.Earlier commenting on President Obama’s visit to India, a senior White House official said the visit is in the interest of all three countries.
Asked whether the White House wrestled with diplomatic implications of Obama not visiting Pakistan and only India, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said, “Frankly, that’s in the interest of all the three countries.”
“Considering the sensitivity of the issue, he had called Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to inform him about his decision to travel to India.” The president was not able to visit Pakistan in 2011, as was originally planned, given significant bilateral tensions that year, the Bin Laden raid, and a number of other incidents that took place,” Rhodes added.