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Miliband welcomes move for increased dialogue

Britain yesterday praised Pakistan's increased dialogue with Afghanistan and India, saying the new "zeal" in its foreign policy was vital as the region struggles with terrorism.

  • AP
  • Published: 00:02 November 27, 2008
  • Gulf News

Islamabad: Britain yesterday praised Pakistan's increased dialogue with Afghanistan and India, saying the new "zeal" in its foreign policy was vital as the region struggles with terrorism.

Pakistan's young government is under pressure from the US and its allies to clamp down on Al Qaida and Taliban fighters nested along its western border who are blamed for rising violence in Afghanistan.

Islamabad has responded by launching an unprecedented military operation against insurgents along the Afghan frontier and making diplomatic overtures to both Delhi and Kabul.

Visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the "reforming zeal and instinct of the government is coming to the fore in a positive way and gaining the confidence of the international community". He said it was "very important in turning Pakistan outwards and making clear that it sees itself as a cooperative force for stability in the region".

Pakistan in the past has harnessed militancy to exert influence in Afghanistan and put pressure on India in Kashmir.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has accused Pakistan's top spy agency of covertly supporting the Taliban. However, his tone has eased since Asif Ali Zardari replaced Pervez Musharraf as Pakistan's president in September.

Miliband declined to confirm reports by Pakistani intelligence officers that British militant suspect Rashid Rauof was killed in a weekend US missile attack in the border region.

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