Obama says talk to Pak, PM says not until terror machine stops

Mtoday news

New Delhi, November 8: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made it clear on Monday that a full-scale dialogue with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue would not be possible until Pakistan stopped the export of terror to India.

 

 

At a joint news conference with US President Barrack Obama, Singh said that India was commited to resolving Kashmir issue. "We are not afraid of the K-word. But Pakistan must first stop the terror machine."

Earlier, Obama said that the United States could not impose a solution on Kashmir or other issues in the volatile India-Pakistan relationship.

"I believe both Pakistan and India have an interest in reducing tensions between the two countries," Obama said when asked about the Kashmir dispute at a press conference after he met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

But he added: "The United States cannot impose a solution on these problems."

Earlier in the morning, the US President said he has undertaken the trip to India to strengthen what is already an incredible friendship that would be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st Century, to build on commercial ties and strengthen cooperation in bilateral relations and international economy.

"Given that India is not simply an emerging power but now it is a world power, US and India can work together to promote international principles, rules, relations between nations they can promote peace, stability, prosperity not only for just two nations but for the whole world," he added.

The two leaders met for a one-on-one conversation at the prime minister’s residence on Sunday evening, ahead of a private dinner.

The meeting focused on the big things that India has been wanting to talk about: maritime security, China, Pakistan, regional security and global geo-politics dominated the conversation.

 

The key events Obama will be attending on Monday:

At 4:25 pm a courtesy meeting with Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj is scheduled.

Meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi at 4:45 pm.

 

At 5:30 in the evening President Obama will address joint session of Parliament.

At 7:30 he meets with President Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan followed by the state dinner at 8 pm.

 

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Early in the morning,  US President Barack Obama was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Pratibha Patil.

 

 

 

 

Obama’s cavalcade, led by the horse mounted Presidential Guards, entered the forecourt of the Presidential Palace. Following a warm welcome by President Patil and her husband Devisingh Shekhawat, the Obamas shook hands with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife.

The US President then inspected a tri-service Guard of Honour.

Besides the President and the Prime Minister, a number of cabinet ministers were also present at Raisina Hill to officially welcome the US President.

In a brief statement, Obama said that he took this trip (to India) to strengthen what is already an extraordinary relationship between the two countries and said that he believes that the partnership between India and the US would be one of the defining friendships of the 21st century.

 

 

 

“To all the people of India, Michelle and I express our gratitude for the wonderful hospitality we have received,” Obama said before proceeding to Rajghat to pay homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.

The US first couple laid a wreath on Gandhi’s Samadhi.

 

From Rajghat, Obama headed straight to the Hyderabad House for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.