Speaking to CNN-IBN, the US ambassador to India, Richard Verma has called the recent release of Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, the leader of terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba, a “setback and mistake”.
He stressed on the fact that the issue of Lakhvi’s release had been raised with the Pakistani government.
We shared our concern about this issue. We’ve raised this with the Pakistani government that the perpitrators of those heinous crimes in Mumbai have to be brought to Justice. The release of Lakhvi is a mistake and a setback. The President and (Pakistani) Prime Minster have clearly articulated their stand against terrorism and we have a strong relationship in that regard.
–Richard Verma, US Ambassador to India
On the issue of the US continuing its military and monetary support to Pakistan, Verma said that Pakistan faces a very serious threat that affects other countries as well and that Pakistan needs as much support as it can get.
“Our aid that goes to Pakistan supports civil society, infrastructure and also provides them the tools to combat this dangerous insurgency….that aid is reviewed very carefully”, he said.
We also communicate differences when we have them, such as the crackdown on terrorist safe-havens and holding perpetrators accountable. We will continue to raise it (with Pakistan).
– Richard Verma, US Ambassador to India
Verma also talked about the renewed excitement with the Indo-US relationship, saying that the push for certain reforms is seen positively in the US.
But he also said that certain issues, such as intellectual property rights were still a cause for concern and that significant dialogue needed to continue between the two countries in that regard.
Verma had also recently expressed concern over the clampdown of NGO’s in India.
We cannot avoid discussions simply because we might not like the answers.
– Richard Verma, US Ambassador to India
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