US gives ultimatum to Pak to dismantle terror groups; Qureshi assures ‘firm dealing’

New Delhi: Pakistan on Monday got an ultimatum from the United States for taking concerted action against terror groups in its territory, during the ongoing high level meeting between India and the US.  Pakistan has assured the States that it will deal firmly with all terrorists and will take steps to de-escalate the tensions with India. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi provided the assurance to US National Security Adviser John Bolton.  The assurance from Pakistan was announced by Bolton during the ongoing visit of India’s foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale who met the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the first day of his official visit. Bolton tweeted: “Spoke with Pakistani FM Qureshi to encourage meaningful steps against JeM and other terrorist groups operating from Pakistan.” "The FM assured me that Pakistan would deal firmly with all terrorists and will continue steps to de-escalate tensions with India," he tweeted.

Spoke with Pakistani FM Qureshi to encourage meaningful steps against JeM and other terrorist groups operating from Pakistan. The FM assured me that Pakistan would deal firmly with all terrorists and will continue steps to deescalate tensions with India.

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) March 11, 2019

According to readout of the meeting between Pompeo and Gokhale, issued by the State Department, US continued to maintain pressure on Pakistan for acting against terror groups operating from its soil. Both the countries agreed that Pakistan must take "concerted action" to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and deny safe haven to all terror groups on its soil. "They agreed that Pakistan needs to take concerted action to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure and to deny safe haven to all terrorist groups in its territory. They also agreed that those who support or abet terrorism in any form should be held accountable," a statement by MEA said.. Gokhale arrived in the US on Sunday for the bilateral Foreign Office Consultation and Strategic Security Dialogue with his American counterparts, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson. Gokhale conveyed India’s appreciation to the US for their firm support in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pulwama. Pompeo also expressed his understanding of India's concerns regarding cross-border terrorism. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said that in the meeting Pompeo affirmed that the US stands with the people and government of India in the fight against terrorism. The talks between Gokhale and Pompeo are the highest level talks between the two countries after the Pulwama attack and its aftermath. Ahead of talks between Gokhale and Pompeo, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke to US National Security Advisor John Bolton over phone and briefed him about the measures taken by Islamabad to de-escalate tensions with India following the Pulwama terror attack.