US supports India's right to self-defence; many Nations express full co-operation to India in confronting terrorism

Washington, February 16: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had a telephone call with his US counterpart John Bolton last evening. Bolton supported India's right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism.

 

He offered all assistance to India to promptly bring the perpetrators of the Pulwama terror attack to justice. NSA Doval appreciated US support. The two NSAs vowed to work together to ensure that Pakistan ceases to be a safe haven for JeM and terrorist groups that target India, the U.S. and others in the region.

They resolved to hold Pakistan to account for its obligations under UN resolutions and to remove all obstacles to designating JeM leader Masood Azhar as a global terrorist under the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 Committee process.

"I told Ajit Doval today that we support India’s right to self-defense. I have spoken to him twice, including this morning... and expressed US' condolences over the terrorist attack, he said.

Bolton said the US has been very clear to Pakistan on ending support to terrorist safe havens. We have been very clear on that score... And, we are continuing to be in discussions we are going to have with the Pakistanis, he said.

Earlier, the White House and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked Pakistan to end its support to terrorist safe havens inside the country.

 

"We stand with #India as it confronts terrorism. Pakistan must not provide safe haven for terrorists to threaten international security, Pompeo said on Twitter.

In a stern message to Pakistan, the White House asked Islamabad to "immediately end" its "support" to all terror groups and not to provide "safe haven" to them, as the US condemned the brutal Pulwama terror attack claimed the lives of at least 40 CRPF soldiers.