*WASHINGTON: *

US defence secretary-elect General Lloyd Austin on Wednesday termedPakistan ‘an essential partnerlink’in the Afghan peace process, saying he will deter regional actors fromspoiling the peace of the region, in an apparent reference to arch-rivalsIndia.

“Pakistan is an essential partner in any peace process in Afghanistan,” GenAustin said while responding to a question regarding his policy as the topdefence official of the country.

He added, “If confirmed, I will encourage a regional approach that garnerssupport from neighbors like Pakistan, while also deterring regional actors,from serving as spoilers to the Afghanistan peace process.”

Lauding Pakistan’s link role in the regionalpeace process, Gen Austin said, I understand Pakistan has takenconstructive steps to meet US requests in support of the Afghanistan peaceprocess. Pakistan has also taken steps against anti-Indian groups, such asLashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, although this progress isincomplete.”

He noted that “many factors in addition to the security assistancesuspension may impact Pakistan’s cooperation, including Afghanistannegotiations and the dangerous escalation following the Pulwama attacklink.”

On December 7, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden chose retired General LloydAustin, who oversaw U.S. forces in the Middle East under President BarackObama, to be his defense secretary.

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