Reducing India-Pak tension important for America's strategic interests: US NSA - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

US National Security Adviser, General James Jones has stressed that reducing tension between India and Pakistan was more important to its strategic interests than resolving the Afghan issue. "The strategic interests of the United States lie more to the east of Afghanistan, for the future. Pakistan is a nuclear state, next to it is another nuclear state India," Jones said, in an interview to Fox News. Jones said that ever since President Obama assumed office, the United States is trying hard to establish trust and confidence with the region, especially between South Asia's two nuclear power countries. "We can play an enormous role for the good to basically keep what would otherwise be a very dangerous region much, much quieter and allow it to proceed down the path of a more tranquil and prosperous future based on democratic ideals," Jones added. Jones statements comes just a day after he said that being a nuclear armed nation Pakistan has 'enormous' responsibility within the international nuclear community. Replying a query, the top US official disagreed with the notion that the Obama administration has only 'issue oriented' relationship with Islamabad, saying the Washington is building a strong relationship with Pakistan, 'every day, every month, a little more trust and confidence'. Jones said the White House is committed to support Pakistan's civilian regime, and that it would do everything to be a 'good friend and ally.' "Especially to assist Pakistan in its own internal struggles in any way we can with regard to the insurgents that are operating in the border area," he added.