In a recent testimony before the US House Armed Services Committee, US Army General Michael Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), emphasized the importance of the United States maintaining relationships with both Pakistan and India. Kurilla stated that it should not be viewed as a "binary switch" where having ties with India precludes a relationship with Pakistan. He advocated for assessing the merits of each relationship individually, highlighting the positive aspects they offer to US interests.

General Kurilla lauded Pakistan as a "phenomenal partner" in counterterrorism efforts. He noted Pakistan's active engagement in combating ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), particularly in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. He said that through intelligence sharing, Pakistan has captured several high-value ISIS-K individuals. He specifically mentioned the extradition of Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as "Jafar," who was wanted for his role in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing that resulted in the deaths of 13 US military personnel and numerous civilians. Kurilla emphasized that the then Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir personally contacted him to offer the extradition, demonstrating Pakistan's commitment to counterterrorism cooperation.

Kurilla acknowledged Pakistan's significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, stating that since the beginning of 2024, Pakistan had experienced over a thousand terrorist attacks, resulting in approximately 700 casualties among security personnel and civilians, and more than 2,500 injuries. He highlighted that despite limited intelligence resources, Pakistan is actively using its own means to combat ISIS-K, which is having a tangible effect.

The General's remarks have been interpreted as a signal to India that the US intends to maintain its alliance with Pakistan while pursuing its geopolitical goals, and that India's fight against terrorism emanating from Pakistan is its own battle. It also conveys that India should not expect the US to prioritize its strategic partnership with New Delhi over its relationship with Islamabad.

Kurilla's support for Pakistan comes at a time when India has been actively lobbying to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, particularly following the Pahalgam terror attack. India has long accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism and has taken measures, including strikes on alleged terror infrastructure, to address the issue.

General Kurilla's testimony also addressed the threat posed by ISIS-K, which he described as one of the most active groups seeking to carry out external attacks globally, including against the US homeland. He noted the ongoing conflict between the Taliban and ISIS-K, which has pushed many ISIS-K fighters into the border regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. He noted that the ISIS-K terrorists are continuing to move around and sometimes they'll try and go back into Afghanistan but for the most part right now, they're hanging out right in that border area of Pakistan.

While reaffirming the importance of the US relationship with Pakistan, General Kurilla also underscored the necessity of maintaining strong ties with India. He emphasized that the US needs to engage with both countries to advance its security objectives in the region.