The Trump administration's nominated ambassador to Islamabad has stated that US relations with India should not come at the expense of Pakistan, while offering to facilitate dialogue between the two countries to bring down tensions in the region.

Addressing the Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, William Todd said that the US can have a strong relationship with both India and Pakistan. "Our hope is that both countries will take the necessary steps to reduce tensions, and as President Trump has offered, we are prepared to facilitate dialogue if both sides request it," he said, adding that to truly reduce regional tensions, and rebuild a strong relationship with the United States, Pakistan must take sustained and irreversible action against terrorism.

Todd acknowledged that Pakistan has suffered terribly itself at the hands of terrorists and has committed publicly to ensure terrorists cannot use its territory to operate. "Pakistan has taken important steps toward fulfilling that commitment but needs to continue that work," he said.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/718589-us-envoy-lists-priorities-for-pakistan-first-goal-to-advance-civil-rights-freedoms