US warns Pakistan not to allow its territory to be used to plan terrorist attacks in India

Days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US on an official visit, America has warned Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used for planning attacks in India. During an historic speech at US Congress, Modi stressed that terrorism "is incubated in India's neighbourhood" and that those who sponsor or support terrorism must be "isolated".

According to a State Department deputy spokesperson, this was just one of the things the US was encouraging Pakistan to do to improve its relations with India. Mark Toner confirmed that Pakistan was one of the issues discussed by Modi and President Barack Obama when Modi visited the White House between 6 and 8 June.

Toner said: "We believe that Pakistan and India stand to benefit from practical cooperation and encourage direct dialogue aimed at increasing cooperation and reducing tensions. And that includes steps by Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to plan attacks in India and that Pakistan takes steps to address or to go after, I think, all the terrorist groups that are currently using its territory."

On 8 June Modi addressed US Congress and emphasised that terrorism should be fought with "one voice". He also commended the US government for sending a clear message by refusing to "reward" those who preach and practice terrorism for political gain, which has been deemed as a reference to the blocking of the sale of eight F-18 fighter jets to Pakistan.

Ahead of Modi's visit to the US, political analysts applauded the Indian prime minister's transition from a "pariah" to someone who is celebrated by the US government. The recent visit marked Modi's seventh meeting with President Obama since the Indian PM took office in 2014, setting new records for both governments in respect to meeting a head of government from a country that is not a formal ally.

On 8 June, Modi spoke about India-US relations during a Congressional reception: "We have transitioned into a new era where we do not think about what we can get from America or what America can get for US. We have gone way beyond that now. Right now what we are thinking about is that how can the US and India can work together to benefit the world."