U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States would not feel comfortable in a long-term relationship with Pakistan if Washington felt Islamabad was not mindful of U.S. interests.

Mr. Obama told reporters in Washington Thursday that he is concerned by Pakistan's military and intelligence community's ties to “unsavory characters.”

The president did not elaborate, but the White House has previously said that Pakistan has links with the al-Qaida-linked Haqqani militant network. The former top U.S. military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, also said last month before his retirement that the Haqqani network acts as a “veritable arm” of Pakistan's military spy agency.

Islamabad denies the charges.

Despite his concerns, Mr. Obama said he is not inclined to cut off U.S. aid to Pakistan because of Washington's “great desire” to help the Pakistani people.

President Obama also said tried to reassure Pakistan that it should not be threatened by a stable Afghanistan and ties Kabul has with Pakistan's archenemy, India. He said Pakistan should realize that a peaceful approach toward India would be in “everybody's interests.”

The U.S. leader also commended Islamabad for being a valuable partner in the fight against terrorism.

The United States provides Pakistan with billions of dollars in financial assistance and coordinates with its military to target insurgents in the country's mountainous northwest.