Must have strong military ties with Pak but also press it to act on US 'requests': top General

A top American general has told the country's lawmakers that the US should maintain strong military ties with Pakistan while pressing Islamabad to take action on US "requests".

The statement by Gen Mark Milley, the White House's nominee to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, comes ahead of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's first meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on July 22.

"While we have suspended security assistance and paused major defence dialogues, we need to maintain strong military-to-military ties based on our shared interests," Gen Milley, who has been nominated as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday in response to written questions for his confirmation hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

President Trump's South Asia Strategy recognises Pakistan as a key partner in achieving US interests in South Asia, including developing a political settlement in Afghanistan; defeating al-Qaida and ISIS-Khorasan; providing logistical access for US forces; and enhancing regional stability, he said on Thursday.

"If confirmed as Chairman, my objective would be to preserve the defence relationship between the United States and Pakistan even as we press Pakistan to take action on US requests," he added.

President Trump has been critical of Pakistan's role in the fight against terrorism, especially Islamabad's actions in war-ravaged Afghanistan. The Trump administration has suspended security and other assistance to Pakistan, saying Islamabad in return has given only "lies and deceit."

Several top US officials has asked Pakistan to rein-in all terror groups operating from its soil.

Responding to another question, Milley said Pakistan has made positive contributions in support of Afghan reconciliation.

However, since the suspension of security assistance, Pakistan has also expanded its outreach to other countries, including Russia and China, to meet its security and economic assistance needs, he said.

Gen Milley, currently the Army's Chief of Staff, has served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Colombia. In Afghanistan, he served as the Commanding General, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and Deputy Commanding General, US Forces.