Top US General stresses importance of relations with both India and Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Karella, declared during a recent testimony before the House Armed Services Committee that the US must maintain strong and balanced relations with both India and Pakistan.

Describing Pakistan as “an exceptional partner in the world of counterterrorism,” General Karella praised Islamabad’s continued cooperation in joint efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, especially the Islamic State Khorasan Branch (ISIS-K). He said Pakistan has played a significant role in the capture and extradition of high-profile militants and called it a key partner in maintaining regional and global security.

“We have to have relationships with Pakistan and India,” the general said, pushing back on the idea that the US must choose between two nuclear-armed neighbors. “I don’t believe it’s a binary switch.”

His remarks come at a time of complex regional dynamics, with India emerging as a key strategic partner for the US in the Indo-Pacific region, while Pakistan is crucial for counter-terrorism cooperation and regional stability, particularly in the context of Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Analysts see Karela’s statement as reflecting Washington’s evolving perspective on South Asia—one that recognizes the importance of maintaining substantive diplomacy despite long-standing tensions with both New Delhi and Islamabad.