Pakistan-Afghan relations strained due to India: Minister

Islamabad April 7 (IANS) Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif has blamed India for destabilising the bilateral relations between Islamabad and Kabul.

The Associated Press of Pakistan quoted the Defence Minister as saying that the relations between the two countries were strained due to Indian influence on Afghanistan.

He emphasised the sacrifices of the Pakistan armed forces in the country s war on terror and added that every possible step would be taken to flush out militants and the menace of terrorism from the country.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan appear to be back on track after months of tensions and war of words as the Prime Minister s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday reported progress in his recent talks with senior Afghan officials in London.

Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said the London meeting with Afghan National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar had helped break the ice.

--IANS
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