WASHINGTON, FEB 14 (DNA) – America’s intelligence chief has warned that Pakistan drawing closer to China is against US national interests in the region.

Pakistan-supported militants groups would continue to carry out attacks inside India and Afghanistan, thus risking escalation of tension between the neighbours.

Pakistan, in fact, will continue to threaten US interests by deploying new nuclear weapons capabilities, maintaining its ties to terrorists, restricting counter- terrorism cooperation, and drawing closer to China , Mr Coats said in his testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on Tuesday.

“Militant groups supported by Islamabad will continue to take advantage of their safe haven in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests,” Mr Coats said during the hearing on ‘Worldwide Threat Assessment’ of the US intelligence community.

He said Pakistan’s perception of its eroding position relative to India and domestic security issues will drive Islamabad’s pursuit of actions that run counter to US goals for the region.

Without specifically referring to any terrorist incident by Pakistan-based groups, Mr Coats told the lawmakers that he expects tension between the two Asian neighbours.