Terror havens not acceptable, Pakistan must punish culprits of 26/11 attack:Obama

[P.J.]

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Terror havens not acceptable, Pakistan must punish culprits of 26/11 attack: President Obama




Ahead of his India visit, US President Barack Obama has said that even as Washington works with Islamabad to meet the threat of terrorism, “safe havens” within Pakistan are “not acceptable” and those behind the Mumbai attacks must face justice.

“As President, I’ve made sure that the US has been unrelenting in our fight against terrorist groups — a fight in which Indians and Americans are united. Indians were tragically killed on 9/11, as were Americans on 26/11. I’ve made it clear that even as the US works with Pakistan to meet the threat of terrorism, safe havens within Pakistan are not acceptable and that those behind the Mumbai terrorist attack must face justice,” said Obama in an e-mail interview to India Today published on Friday.

“Like people around the world, Indians and Americans were horrified at the senseless slaughter of so many students and teachers at the school in Peshawar, which was a painful reminder that terrorists threaten us all,” he said.

Read Also: Obama visit: Hope floats after India’s assurance on N-deal
“The emergence of ISIL in Syria and Iraq is another manifestation of the threat I’ve been focused on — the evolving nature of terrorism. Today, the greatest threat comes from al Qaeda affiliates, violent extremist groups and individuals who have succumbed to terrorist ideologies. We saw that again, most recently, with the terrorist attack in Paris. So we’re meeting this threat on many fronts. We’re helping nations go after terrorist groups within their borders, whether on the Arabian Peninsula or North Africa. We’re leading the international coalition to destroy ISIL. We’re working with many nations to prevent foreign terrorist fighters from crossing borders and attacking our citizens,” said Obama.

On his personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Obama said: “My personal relationships with other leaders are important because they can help work through the difficult issues that inevitably come up between governments, even among allies and close friends. Prime Minister Modi’s historic election clearly reflects the desire of many Indians for economic growth that is inclusive, a good government that serves citizens, and education that delivers the skills Indians seek. And his remarkable life story — from tea-seller to Prime Minister — is a reflection of the determination of the Indian people to succeed.”

He said that Modi “has a clear vision of the big things” he wants India to achieve. “I’ve been impressed with his energy and his readiness to address many of the barriers that have stood in the way of greater economic growth. In particular, I appreciate the Prime Minister’s eagerness to take the India-US partnership to the next level. On his visit this fall, we agreed to a new joint vision to guide our efforts, and my visit to India is an opportunity to advance that vision,” said Obama.

Read more from here

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...-of-21st-century-president-obama/?SocialMedia
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[prasad1]

President Obama, who is visiting India this weekend, and India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, have both described their countries as natural partners. That may be true. But they cannot achieve a deep and strategic partnership until the United States deals more forthrightly with Pakistan, New Delhi’s neighbor and nemesis.


In other words, Washington must do more to address India’s anxieties about Pakistan. But there is a conundrum. Washington should also not harm its delicate and distrustful relationship with Islamabad.


Yes, Pakistan harbors jihadist groups that threaten and kill Americans. But it also sits astride the Middle East and Asia, boasts a large and young population, and enjoys deep friendships with China and Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic wisdom argues for staying on the good side of such a strategically significant state.


In effect, Washington needs to execute a delicate dance: Push back against Pakistan in order to further America’s friendship with India, while taking care not to alienate the Pakistanis.


A neat trick? Perhaps. But it can be done.


First, America should stop giving free passes to the Pakistani military, which receives billions of dollars’ worth of aid even as it sponsors militant groups that murder Indians. An American law requires that the government, before releasing security assistance, certify that Pakistan’s armed forces have acted to stop Pakistan-based militants, including anti-India groups. But in recent years, the Obama administration has invoked national security waivers that bypass the certification process. That should stop.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/24/opinion/fix-the-link-to-pakistan-bond-with-india.html?_r=0

 

[prasad1]

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE—President Barack Obama wants the Chinese to be watching his plane land in New Delhi. He knows they are.


Obama came into office hoping to make a “pivot to Asia,” and he’s spent six years trying to shift U.S. foreign policy in that direction, despite distractions and rebuffs, in an effort to align U.S. interests with those of the world’s most rapidly growing populations and economies. As part of that strategy and an effort to counterbalance China, Obama has looked to bolster India — which is on course to overtake China as the world’s most populous nation — to make sure China has a strong rival in the region.


But for Obama, like Bill Clinton and George W. Bush before him, the Indian relationship itself has so far been a huge investment of American time and money with little to show. So now, on the first foreign trip of his final two years and with a mind on building his legacy, Obama’s spending three days in New Delhi trying again.
Barack Obama?s passage to India - POLITICO

 

[sarang]

Till now the americans were dictating. But now the conditions are different and modi is dealing with them as equals.