REPORTS of a $500-million Washington aid package to Pakistan and a period of intense border shelling in Kashmir have overshadowed the run-up to US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to India in the next few days.
Kerry travels to India on Saturday (January 10) to attend an investment summit promoted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat, the US State Department said. It declined comment on media reports Kerry may also visit Pakistan.
President Barack Obama will make a second official trip to India later in the month, seeking to strengthen ties between the world's two largest democracies.
Despite Modi and Obama's well-publicised chemistry at talks in Washington last year, renewed friction between South Asia's nuclear-armed neighbours is a reminder of underlying anger in New Delhi at US support for its arch-rival.
“This may be a bit of a sobering moment for those who thought we might see a blooming of the relationship,” said Harsh Pant, professor of international relations at King's College London.
Pakistan announced last week that the US ambassador had said a request had been made to Congress for a $532m aid payment under an act co-authored by Kerry in 2009. Washington denied that on Monday (January 5), but not before drawing India's ire.
“How the Government of the United States of America decides to spend US tax payers' money is entirely its prerogative,” foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said in a statement.
“However, India does not believe that Pakistan is showing 'sustained commitment',” against Islamist militants, he added.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said no request had been made to US Congress for a payment under the act, which requires Pakistan to cease support for extremist groups such as the Taliban and al Qaeda.
However, she said other funds were available to Pakistan.
In 2009, under the Kerry-authored act, the United States agreed to give an annual $1.5bn to Pakistan, and in 2013 handed over the cash under a waiver despite what critics said was a lack of progress in countering Islamist militancy.
Funding for 2014, the last year of the four-year plan, has not yet been released, Psaki said.
Washington has for years been trying to encourage a rapprochement between India and Pakistan.
In the disputed region of Kashmir, thousands of Indians have fled their homes as fighting between India and Pakistan spread along a 200-km border stretch. At least 10 people have been killed since December 31.
Tensions have been high since Modi called off peace talks in August, and border clashes have erupted intermittently since.
Indian and Pakistani security officials have not spoken since Thursday (January 1) to reduce the violence, according to DK Pathak, director general of India's Border Security Force. Pakistan has lost more lives and suffered more damage to property, he said.
“It is not a happy situation and we would like the restoration of normalcy as fast and soon as possible,” said Pathak. “But what can be done? If firing comes from their side we definitely have to respond.”
Pakistan in turn accuses India of killing two of its men in an ambush on New Year's Eve.
About 6,000 civilians in Indian-controlled Kashmir fled late on Monday as fighting spread to civilian areas, said Shantmanu, divisional commissioner of Jammu region. About 4,000 left after fighting began last week.
“We had a narrow escape and there is a war-like situation,” Sham Kumar, 54, from Sherpur village told reporters. “Pakistani troops are using long-range weapons. It is the first time we have seen such intense shelling.”
The Pakistan foreign ministry accused India of “unprovoked firing and targeting of civilians.”
