India, US seek tangible and irreversible action by Pakistan against terrorists

India and the United States sought "tangible and irreversible action" by Pakistan against terrorist groups and leaders, with the US national security advisor saying Washington stands shoulder-to-shoulder with New Delhi in its fight against terrorism. The US support to India was expressed by American NSA John Bolton during a meeting with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Wednesday. "Met with Indian FS Gokhale to advance progress on the US-India strategic partnership & our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, as well as reiterate that the US stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism," Bolton said in a tweet.

Met with Indian FS Gokhale to advance progress on the U.S.-India strategic partnership & our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, as well as reiterate that the U.S. stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism. Official White House Photo by Keegan Barber. pic.twitter.com/27MPOFniuK

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) March 14, 2019

Post the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad, Bolton and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have emerged as strong supporters of the India-US relationship.

"Both underlined the importance of Pakistan taking tangible and irreversible action against terrorist groups based in territories under its control and denial of safe haven for these groups to launch cross -border attacks," the Indian Embassy said in a readout of the meeting.

This came after India's bid to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist was blocked by China. A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has already blocked the move thrice since 2009.

Reacting on the development, Ministry of External Affairs said ‘we are disappointed by the outcome’ and will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorists involved in attacks on Indian citizens are brought to justice.

“This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of (Jaish), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019,” MEA said. 

MEA also said that India is grateful to all countries who supported the bid to designate Azhar as a global terrorist. ‘We are grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors,” tweeted ANI.