US-Pak ties "very complicated" but "extremely important" for both US, India: Blake

Washington, July 9(ANI): Although the United States' relationship with Pakistan is "very complicated", it holds extreme importance for both America and India in view of security efforts in the region, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Robert Blake, has said.

When asked via interactive web chat about some of the critical steps the Obama administration will take to counter terrorism in Pakistan and stop it from spreading into India, Blake replied: "This, of course, is the question of the hour right now after the actions that were taken against [al Qaeda leader] Osama bin Laden."

"As Secretary [Hillary] Clinton has said, our relations with Pakistan are very complicated, but it's also an extremely important relationship, and it's also extremely important for India as well," he added.

Blake noted that Pakistan has suffered more than any other country in the world from the scourge of terrorism inside its own country, and that it has pledged to ensure that its territory is not used as a platform for terrorists to attack other countries, such as India or the United States.

"So we're working very hard with Pakistan to ensure that that becomes a reality, and again, this is sometimes going to be a bumpy road, but it's very much in our interest to pursue this important relationship with Pakistan, to help Pakistan to meet the many economic, energy and security challenges that it faces. That indeed is why we have our own very important assistance program with Pakistan," he explained.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney also told reporters on July 7 that the US' relationship with Pakistan is complicated, but important.

"Our relationship with Pakistan is complicated. We don't always agree, it is not always perfect, but it is significant and important. And it is significant and important because it helps us protect the United States of America, protect United States citizens and assets abroad, as well as our allies, and that Pakistan has been an important partner in our effort to disrupt, dismantle and ultimately defeat al Qaeda and continues to be so. So that's why we continue to work on that relationship," Carney said. (ANI)