While the United States faces perpetual threat of nuclear weapons possessed by potential rivals such as Russia, China or North Korea, the dangerous impact of nuclear conflict may actually be highest between two of its allies, Pakistan and India. The two nations have engaged in four wars starting since their infamous partition in 1947. A fifth could be much more difficult to sustain considering their nuclear capabilities which continue to grow and diversify.
Hence the US has urged these two nations to manage their conflicts well. Assistant secretary of defence for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, Randall Schriver, emphasized that the US must see a change in Pakistan’s actions and attitude in the areas of greatest concern to the US. “America’s interests are clear: We must stop the resurgence of safe havens that enable terrorists to threaten America, we must encourage restraint in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme and prevent nuclear weapons and materials from falling into the hands of terrorists,” Schriver said. “We must also encourage India and Pakistan to address tensions, in order to reduce the risk of nuclear war,” he added during a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Randall Schriver said that during Defence Secretary Jim Mattis’ trip to Pakistan; he interacted in person with Pakistan’s Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa on the objectives of the South Asia Strategy. Mattis stressed that the US appreciated Pakistan’s significant efforts in the war against terrorism, and that Pakistan is a key player in catalyzing peace operations in Afghanistan. “Since the announcement of the South Asia Strategy in August, Pakistan has taken some positive steps. The steps to date, however, do not reflect the type of decisive action that is necessary to restore regional stability,” he explained.
He also talked about US’ role in eradicating terrorist bases. “We are in Afghanistan to make America safer, to protect our citizens, and to ensure that Afghanistan and Pakistan do not serve as safe havens from which terrorists can support and launch attacks against our homeland, American citizens, and our allies. Now, more than ever, the US’ vision and leadership must remain clear and steady.” he added.