Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, South Asia Bureau, Donald A. Camp on Thursday said Pakistan was a close US ally in the war on terror, and "counter terrorism puts Pakistan in a important place."
With India, he said, the United States has "a different kind of relationship."
The State Department official observed this in response to a question, at a roundtable on 'Trends in Indo-US Relations." Organised by the South Asian Studies, the participants comprised the visiting delegation from the Indo-US Parliamentary Forum (IUPF) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Donald Camp said: "We have a growing relationship with Pakistan," he said, adding "counter terrorism is the special interest the United States.
With India and Pakistan, he said, the US relations "are going ahead in the right direction."
Of India, he said "our interests are convergent, and our bilateral relations are deep-rooted."
He made a particular reference of the economic ties, as well as those in the fields of learning, science and technology, besides trade and commerce, health and human rights.
"We are very aware that Indian government has a very impressive record in economic activity." About Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh of India, he said, that he is an acknowledged economic expert, who wants to support healthy tax system and promoting competition." Our military ties are growing," and Asian security dialogue takes place "and the element of frankness is remarkable."
In respect of counter terrorism, he said the US dialogue with India is frank, and based on common efforts.
Of Indian market and goods, he said "India is growing and the Indians are reaching out in greater way."
He said Indo-US economic co-operation is growing, and balance of trade is in favour of India.
Camp referred to ongoing US policy dialogue with India. Of late, he said there had been a dramatic change and the leaders of the two countries periodically talk telephonically, while high officials undertake frequent visits of the two countries.
He said India extended support to the United States after the tragic incident of 9/11, and the US supported India over the gruesome December 13, 2001 terrorist attack on Indian parliament.
"We have common interests," he stated.
The Indian parliamentary group consisted B J Pande, Biju Janata Dal, co-chairman, IUPF; Milind Deora, MP, Indian National Congress; Navin Jindal, MP, Indian National Congress; Sachin Pilot, MP, Indian National Congress; Jitin Prasad, MP, Indian National Congress; Rajeev Shukla, MP, Indian National Congress, Convenor. IUPF, Manavendra Singh, MP, Bharatiya Janata Party Ramesh Chandran, Executive Director, IUPF. The visiting Indian business delegation comprised of Y K Modi, President, FICCI, Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC; Amit Mitra, Secretary General, FICCI Prasanta K Biswal, Director FICCI-USA.