Terrorism a 'losing tactic,' Clinton says

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NEW DELHI, May 8 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised U.S.-India relations, citing both countries' desire to stabilize Afghanistan along with joint economic efforts.

Clinton, wrapping up her latest foreign tour in New Delhi, also warned terrorist groups operating in Pakistan that the United States is "going after those who pose direct threats to the United States, to Afghanistan and to our allies in Afghanistan."

The Pakistani government needs to "do more," Clinton said during a joint news conference with Indian External Affairs Minister Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna. "It needs to make sure that its territory is not used as launching pads for terrorist attacks anywhere, including inside of Pakistan."

Terrorism, she said, "is a losing tactic. But we have to prevent as much death and destruction as possible as we uproot and destroy these groups and convince those whom they recruit that that is no longer a decision that should be made."

Clinton noted the United States and India are "two great democracies with common values and increasingly convergent interests." She said the day's discussions focused on four areas.

The two countries must continue to expand trade and investment and deepen security cooperation, she said. Also, the United States and India must "work to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities in South and Central Asia," with India providing support and leadership concerning trade and other economic issues.

Finally, Clinton said, "We also look to India as a partner in the broad international effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."

The best way to reach a diplomatic solution on Iran is for the international community to remain united and keep up the pressure that brought Iran back to the negotiating table.

"I welcomed the progress India is making to reduce its purchases of oil from Iran and hope to see continuing progress," she said.

Krishna said Iran remained an important oil source for India, even as India cut back its purchases of oil from Iran.

"As far as India is concerned, we subscribe to and rigorously implement the U.N. Security Council resolutions" on Iran," he said. "This issue, however, is not a source of discord between our two countries."