>Resumption of bilateral talks between India and Pakistan will not only benefit the two countries but also help establish security and stability in Afghanistan and across the region, says U.S. Assistant Secretary, Nisha Biswal.
“ >We welcome the NSA level talk between India and Pakistan . It is a positive sign that Indian Foreign Minister has visited Pakistan. India has very important role to play in security and stability in Afghanistan and across the region. Good relation between India and Pakistan will not only benefit the two countries but also entire region,” Nisha Desai Biswal, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, said talking to the media here on Monday.
Ms. Biswal’s husband Subrat Biswal hails from Odisha. Ms. Biswal is on a private visit to the State.
Recognising terrorism a nagging concern, she said, “Indians have suffered heavily at the hands of terrorists. Many lives have been lost in terrorist attacks in Pakistan. We have seen increasing realisation and action by the Pakistan government to act against terrorist groups. We continue to urge them to act against all terrorist networks.”
Ms. Biswal while commenting on the simmering tensions at the Indo-Nepal border said, “We do believe that the historic constitution that was adopted by Nepal in so many ways would move the country forward. There are certain inadequacies in addressing outstanding concerns of certain segment of Nepalese population. We have urged the government of Nepal to engage with those constituencies and address their concerns.”
She said the relation between two large democracies has moved beyond Indo-US and Delhi-Washington as people of both countries have come closer.
“Our two democracies are so diverse and societies are open as well as inclusive. We have huge talented human resource pool, which if harnessed there is no challenge that cannot be tackled by two countries. The relationship will not only benefit the people of India and USA, but also benefit the world,” Ms. Biswal said referring to statements of President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The bonding was manifested in >Climate Talk in Paris where our two countries came together to forge the consensus in the historic and landmark agreement. We are moving towards future where prospects and sustainability are partnered together,” she said.
The US Assistant Secretary said a decade after her marriage she had come to her in-laws house and extended families in Bhubaneswar for the first time. Later Ms. Biswal met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and visited Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences here.
