NEW DELHI : The U.S. is not “walking away from Pakistan”, says a seniorState department official visiting the region, but while Pakistan has taken“initial constructive steps” against terrorists operating on its soil, theyaren’t yet irreversible.

U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia AliceWells also described as “positive steps” by Prime Minister Abbasigovernment’s moves to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammadunder Pakistan’s domestic laws, as well as a crackdown on charities run bythe LeT

In an interview with The Hindu newspaper she also welcomed that PakistanArmy Chief General Bajwa’s comments on ending proxy terrorist groups.

“I was heartened by the press comments by General Bajwa where he saidthings like the ‘state must have the monopoly on violence’, and there is‘no role for non-state actors’…. Those are extremely positive statementsand now I think the challenge is to see them implemented. We are certainlyin a very good faith conversation with Pakistan,” Ms. Wells said during hervisit to Delhi, where she met with senior MEA and PMO officials on nationalsecurity.

Ms. Wells’ comments could indicate a softer position by the U.S. onPakistan, coming close on the heels of new Afghanistan Pakistan Action Planfor Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) announced by Afghan President AshrafGhani and Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday, committing to closerengagement on fighting terror.

When asked, Ms. Wells denied any U.S.-hand in the Afghan-Pakistan talks,but her ongoing visit to the region, including travels to Tashkent,Islamabad, Delhi and Kabul discussed the next steps in the Trumpadministration’s “South Asia policy” for Afghanistan.

“I would say, bear with us, this isn’t the end of our diplomatic game. Weare continuously engaging in Pakistan because we do see the need forchange,” Ms. Wells told The Hindu when asked about further steps againstPakistan if it fails to act against terror groups.