India and Pakistan are "quietly" making remarkable progress in improving ties and this pace should be continued, former United States ambassador to India Timothy Roemer has said.
"I believe one of the best stories of the world today, one of the quietest stories of the world today and may be it should be kept so -- is this historic progress in these negotiations and talks between India and Pakistan," Roemer said in response to a question in a round table with the Indian media ahead of next week's India-US Strategic dialogue.
"United States recognises that the relationship between India and Pakistan are bilateral and they would proceed at a pace that India and Pakistan would want them to go. Knowing that the United States quietly and diplomatically supports these talks," Roemer said.
"This (improvement) is really good for the people of India who benefit the most from progress in India-Pak talks," he said.
Stability, economic co-operation, progress really benefit both countries, he said adding that with six or seven per cent growth rate, India really benefits with improvement in its relationship with Pakistan.
With the improvement in India-Pak relationship, the trade between the two countries could increase to US$10-15 billion in the next couple of years from the existing US$2-3
billion.
Referring to the recent tough decisions taken by the US against Pakistan, Roemer said that the US "would not tolerate" any attack coming from Pakistan.
"Game changes and all bets are off if something happens at Times Square or someplace else in our country," he said, adding that the US is now enjoying "historic" co-operation with India to prevent another case like the Mumbai terror attack.
"This is something I worked on day and night in India," he said.
Roemer said there is a good possibility that India and Pakistan can move forward to talk about the Sir Creek issue.
With the help of latest technology, GPS coordinates and navigational issues it is not that difficult to solve the issue, he said.
"This is really a positive story between people of India and Pakistan. The United States would continue to be in the background, continue to quietly and diplomatically support these efforts and its progress," Roemer said.
