US told India that Zardari government was weakening: WikiLeaks

ISLAMABAD - US special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke told Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s government was weakening, according to an expose by whistleblowing website WikiLeaks.

In a meeting with Rao Jan 18, 2010 in New Delhi, Holbrooke spoke about the evolving political landscape in Pakistan with a “weakening” President Zardari and the relationship between chief of army staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, The News International reported.

During the meeting, Rao described the Indian effort in Afghanistan, saying it was focused on strengthening governance by building Afghan capacities and that the Indian engagement is transparent and should not be threatening to Pakistan.

She said India needs some deliverables on terrorism before it can engage in bilateral talks with Pakistan.

Holbrooke also pledged transparency with India on America’s activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan.