At intel hearing, CIA chief seems unaware of planned resumption of India-Pakistan peace talks

At intel hearing, CIA chief seems unaware of planned resumption of India-Pakistan peace talks
By Matthew Pennington (CP) – 1 day ago
 
WASHINGTON — Was the head of the Central Intelligence Agency caught unaware of one of the world's biggest developments Thursday: an agreement between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan to resume peace talks?

That appeared to be the case when Leon Panetta was asked about the disputed Kashmir region at a hearing of the Intelligence Committee in the House of Representatives to assess worldwide security threats.

Asked if there had been changes in Kashmir or diplomatic exchanges between India and Pakistan, Panetta said: "There have been efforts to try to reach out between Pakistan and India, but as far as I know, they haven't gotten anywhere."

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper quickly added: "I think recently they've — yesterday or today have agreed to resume strategic dialogue. If that happens, that would be a movement in the right direction."

India and Pakistan had made the announcement hours earlier — that they would restart wide-ranging peace talks frozen after the 2008 terror attacks by Pakistan-based militants that killed 166 people in the Indian city of Mumbai.

They did not say when talks would begin, but the foreign minister of Pakistan will visit India by July to review their progress.

News of the resumption was prominently featured by media around the world.
The CIA defended Panetta's comments, saying at this point, there has not been a major change in India-Pakistan relations.

"Director Panetta was asked whether there was any change on the ground in the relationship between India and Pakistan, and his answer was accurate. While announcing another round of talks is a step in the right direction, the process hasn't yet unfolded," CIA spokeswoman Marie Harf said in response to questions from The Associated Press.

Asked if the CIA chief had been aware of the announcement on the resumption of talks, she said: "Of course Director Panetta is kept regularly informed of developments between India and Pakistan."

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947, and previous negotiations have made little headway, particularly on their competing claims to the divided Himalayan territory of Kashmir. Talks in the past have, however, led to a significant reduction in tensions.

The United States has a major stake in seeing peace on the subcontinent, as Pakistan might then shift more forces from its eastern frontier with India to fight Taliban and al-Qaida on its western border with Afghanistan.



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