US worried about Pakistan government stability: Tillerson

NEW DELHI: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday the United States is concerned that extremist groups are threatening the “stability and security” of the Pakistan government.

Tillerson, who arrived in New Delhi late Tuesday after a brief and tense stop in Islamabad, said too many extremists were finding sanctuary inside Pakistan to launch attacks on other nations.

He said Pakistan had an interest “in not just containing these organizations but ultimately eliminating” the groups.

“Quite frankly my view — and I expressed this to the leadership of Pakistan — is we also are concerned about the stability and security of Pakistan´s government as well,” he told reporters in New Delhi.

“This could lead to a threat to Pakistan´s own stability. It is not in anyone´s interests that the government of Pakistan be destabilised.”

Tillerson´s visit — the first to the nuclear-armed nation by a senior official from President Donald Trump´s administration — follows months of pressure from Washington on Pakistan.

It follows an unannounced stop in Kabul Monday, where Tillerson reiterated America´s commitment to Afghanistan and warned that Washington has made “very specific requests” of Pakistan over militancy.

Trump has angrily accused Islamabad of harbouring “agents of chaos” who could attack US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Washington and Kabul have long accused Islamabad of supporting Afghan militants including the Taliban.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied the charge, insisting it maintains contacts only to try to bring the militants to peace talks.

Tillerson did express his appreciation to Pakistan officials for the sacrifices it has made in fighting militancy, and for its help in securing the release of a US-Canadian family held captive by the Taliban for five years.