US says China has 'important role' in South Asia

US-LD SOUTHASIA


Lalit K Jha
Washington, Sep 21 (PTI) Shrugging off India's concerns,
the US has underscored China's "important role" in South Asia,
even as it said that India had a stake in East Asia.
It was "unimaginable" that Beijing would not be involved
in this strategically significant part of the world that
includes countries like India, Pakistan and Afghanistan,
Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said at the Woodrow
Wilson International Centre for Scholars.
At the same time, he said: "Just as we talk about South
Asia with China, we talk about East Asia with India. That's an
important part of our dialogue.
"We just had a very, very productive meeting chaired on
our side by Assistant Secretary (of State for East Asian and
Pacific Affairs Kurt) Campbell with the Indian counterparts".
"We engage with them on issues like North Korea and the
like because we think of the importance that India plays,"
Steinberg said.
On China, he said Beijing has an "important role" in
South Asia. "It's a neighbour of South Asia. And it's
unimaginable that China would not be involved," he said in
response to a question after delivering a speech on 'Impact of
US-China Relations in Asia'.
India had expressed her displeasure last year after
a joint US-China statement, following the visit of US
President Barack Obama to Beijing, had called for cooperation
between India and Pakistan in South Asia.
"I know there is a certain sensitivity may be about that,
but I don't see that it should be the case," Steinberg said of
the Indian concerns. "The question is can we work together in
a positive way on shared interests in creating peace,
stability and economic opportunity in South Asia?"
"India has a good and rich relationship with China. Very
fortunate to have the very knowledgeable China hands now
at senior levels in the Indian government. And I think that's
a good thing," Steinberg said.
Seeking a constructive Chinese involvement to help the US
deal with the challenge of peace and stability in
Afghanistan, he said it needs to be ensured that the war-torn
country does not become a terrorist haven again.
He also sought the Chinese cooperation "to allow
democracy to continue in Pakistan, and to deal with economic
challenges that they face so a more secure Pakistan can be a
better partner for India and other countries in the region,"
Steinberg argued."
"So,I see many positive reasons for China to be involved.
It will be involved because its interests are there, and its
economic interests, security interests, political interests.
But it ought to be done in a way that's not at the expense of
others. And it's clear that we are very sensitive to the
interests of all our partners there." PTI LKJ
MRD


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