"Despite modest gains over the past few years, India-Pakistan relations are promising but fragile and the cease fire violations along the Line of Control in 2013 are certainly cause for concern," Admiral Samuel J Locklear, Commander of the US Pacific Command, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing.
"Barring another major terror attack in India, a conflict between these two nuclear powers is remote, but continued violence along the contentious border will erode the political space to improve relations," Locklear said in his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Observing that India continues its rise as a regional and emerging global power, Locklear said its increasing, positive presence in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region as security provider is an important factor in regional stability.
Last year, USPACOM participated in the US-India Strategic Dialogue and looks forward to India's participation in this year's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, he said.
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"These systems would expand India's capabilities to provide for their own security and help their efforts to be a security provider for the region," Locklear said.
The PACOM Commander said periodic eruptions of religious, ethnic, political, and separatist violence continues to plague some of America's closest partners in the region, limiting its engagement efforts.
"A sustained effort to build and enhance the capacity of our allies and partners is the cornerstone of our counter terrorism strategy in South and Southeast Asia.