India and US ask Pakistan to take concerted action to dismantle terror infrastructure operating on its soil

India and the United States have agreed that Pakistan needs to take concerted action to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure and deny safe haven to all terror groups operating in its territory. The agreement was reached during the meeting between Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in Washington last evening. An official release said, both sides also agreed that those who support or abet terrorism in any form should be held accountable.

Mr Gokhale appreciated the firm support that India received from the US in the aftermath of the terrorist attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir.Mr Pompeo expressed his understanding of India's concerns regarding cross-border



terrorism.

In a statement, US state department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said, both sides discussed the importance of bringing those responsible for the Pulwama attack to justice.

Mr Gokhale and Mr Pompeo also discussed other issues of mutual interest, including Afghanistan and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and agreed to closely work together in this regard.

In response to Mr Pompeo's reference to bilateral trade matters, Mr Gokhale underscored the significant reduction in trade deficit in the last three years and conveyed India's willingness to remain engaged with the US for a meaningful and mutually acceptable package on trade issues.