Pak won’t stop needling India as it draws closer to China: US intel

US Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats on Tuesday told a Congressional committee that Pakistan will continue to be a threat to the US by developing nuclear weapons, and will also remain a thorn in India's side.

While the testimony of the intelligence chief before the Senate Intelligence Committee focussed largely on potential Russian meddling in the upcoming US mid-term elections, Coats also submitted a Worldwide Threat Assessment report which dwelt at some length on India's fractious neighbour.

"Pakistan will continue to threaten US interests by deploying new nuclear weapons capabilities, maintaining its ties to militants, restricting counter-terrorism cooperation, and drawing closer to China," the report states.

The report also states that terrorist organisations will continue to take advantage of the safe havens provided by Pakistan. These terrorist organisations will use Pakistan's area to conduct attacks against India and Afghanistan and work against US interests in the area.

Relations between India-Pakistan are also to remain tense due to ceasefire violations by Pakistan. "Relations between India and Pakistan are likely to remain tense, with continued violence on the Line of Control and the risk of escalation if there is another high-profile terrorist attack in India or an uptick in violence on the Line of Control," the report said.

Pakistan continues to develop nuclear weapons including "short-range tactical weapons, sea-based cruise missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and longer-range ballistic missiles" which could lead to tensions in the south Asian region, it said.