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US National Security Adviser Bolton asks Pakistan to take steps against JeM

WION
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaWritten By: Sidhant SibalUpdated: Mar 12, 2019, 12:30 PM IST
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File photo of US National Security Adviser John Bolton. Photograph:(ANI)

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It is important to note that US NSA and Indian NSA Ajit Doval have spoken three times since the Pulwama terror attack whose responsibility was taken by UN-listed terror group JeM emanating from Pakistan.

 

 

The United States has asked Pakistan to take "meaningful steps" against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). US National Security Adviser John Bolton who spoke with Pakistani Foreign Minister SM Qureshi in a tweet said encouraged "meaningful steps against JeM and other terrorist groups operating from Pakistan."

Adding further that the Pakistani Foreign Minister assured "me that Pakistan would deal firmly with all terrorists and will continue steps to deescalate tensions with India."

The readout of the same conversation between Bolton and Qureshi from Pakistani Foriegn Ministry, on the other hand, makes no mention of US NSA asking Pakistan to act on JeM.

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The development comes even as Indian Foreign Secretary is in US and met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. A read out from the US State Department said, "Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Secretary Gokhale discussed the importance of bringing those responsible for the attack to justice and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil."

It is important to note that US NSA and Indian NSA Ajit Doval have spoken three times since the Pulwama terror attack whose responsibility was taken by UN-listed terror group JeM emanating from Pakistan.

The first time when the US NSA spoke with Indian NSA was February 15, just a day after Pulwama terror attack and tweeted "Pakistan must crack down on JeM and all terrorists operating from its territory" adding "Countries should uphold UNSC responsibilities to deny safe haven and support for terrorists".

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The Ministry of External Affairs readout of the Bolton-Doval talks of February 15 had mentioned that Ambassador Bolton supports India's right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism.

He also offered "all assistance" to India to bring the perpetrators and backers of the Pulwama terror attack promptly to justice.

India on February 26 launched strikes against JeM terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan. United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the strikes as a "counter-terrorism action". In a statement, he said," following Indian counter-terrorism action on February 26, I spoke with Indian minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj to emphasise our close security partnership and shared goal of maintaining peace and security in the region".