US Cannot Resolve Indo-Pak Conflict: Barack Obama
November 25, 2009 by Trend PK
Filed under Breaking News
WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama says the United States is not responsible for resolving the long-standing conflict between Pakistan and India, but that America wants to encourage security and civil progress in both nations.
Obama said Tuesday that the U.S. will encourage India and Pakistan to feel secure and to “focus on the development of their own countries.” He defended U.S. aid to Pakistan that is meant to help the nation combat extremists.
Obama made his remarks in a brief news conference with visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“The relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century,” Obama declared — twice — during a news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The two appeared before reporters in the East Room after an elaborate morning welcome ceremony that was moved indoors by rain and about two hours of private talks in the Oval Office.
He also touted India as a key partner on a range of crucial global issues. He used some of the same complimentary language he displayed while in China, only there he was looking to prod Beijing to do more with its new clout, while with Singh he was lauding what is already happening.
Obama said he and Singh agreed to “work even closer” on sharing information between law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Obama called the two nations “natural allies” on the topic.
“We both recognize that our core goal is to achieve peace and security for all peoples in the region, not just one country or the other,” the president said.
Noting that the United States was India’s largest trading partner, Obama said broadening trade ties would help create much needed jobs in the two countries, both wracked by economic recessions.
US Cannot Resolve Indo-Pak Conflict: Barack Obama was first posted on November 25, 2009 at 1:06 pm.
