New Delhi: In a significant statement that highlights Washington’s dual-track regional policy, top U.S. military commander General Michael Kurilla has described Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in the fight against terrorism and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with both India and Pakistan. Speaking under oath at a House Armed Services Committee hearing, the head of U.S. Central Command made it clear that America’s engagement in South Asia cannot be a zero-sum equation.
General Kurilla specifically praised Pakistan’s ongoing operations against ISIS-Khorasan, a group he described as one of the most active terror threats attempting to stage global attacks. He detailed how the Pakistani military, led by Army Chief General Asim Munir, has acted decisively using intelligence shared by the U.S. “They’ve killed dozens of ISIS-K fighters and captured at least five high-value targets,” Kurilla said, adding that Pakistan even facilitated the extradition of Jaffar, a key figure in the deadly Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul.
Kurilla also pointed to the scale of Pakistan’s own internal security challenges, noting that since the beginning of 2024, the country has faced over a thousand terrorist attacks, resulting in the deaths of more than 700 people and injuring over 2,500 others. He underscored that Islamabad is in an “active counter-terrorism fight” and is making a measurable impact on degrading ISIS-K’s capabilities, especially along the volatile Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Just before wrapping up his remarks, General Kurilla addressed the broader strategic context, stating that Washington should avoid viewing its relationships in South Asia through a binary lens. “We need to have a relationship with Pakistan and with India,” he said. “I don’t believe it’s a binary switch. We should look at the merits of each relationship for the positives it brings.”
The General’s comments signal a clear message to New Delhi: while the United States values its growing partnership with India, it also intends to maintain operational ties with Pakistan, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts. The statement highlights that India’s concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistani territory may not necessarily align with U.S. geopolitical interests in the region.
In doing so, Washington is reaffirming its strategic balancing act, navigating between two regional powers with a long history of conflict, while prioritizing tactical partnerships that serve its immediate security objectives.
