US engaging Pak on terror emanating from its soil: Obama

Ajay Kaul
Washington, Apr 12 (PTI) President Barack Obama has said
the US was "engaging" Pakistan over the issue of reigning
in terror groups like LeT after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh highlighted the continued threat of terrorism emanating
from it and Islamabad's lack of will to punish those
responsible for 26/11.
Singh, who met Obama here last night, said India was
looking for a "convincing" action by Pakistan against
perpetrators of Mumbai attacks and made it clear that the
"future of South Asia would be determined by the manner in
which terrorism is tackled".
The Indian Prime Minister also voiced apprehensions about
misuse of US military supplies to Pakistan, prompting Obama to
assure that India's concerns in this regard would be kept in
mind while dealing with the issue.
The US President also told Singh that the US was
"supportive" of India's request for access to Mumbai attacks
accused Lashkar-e-Taiba's David Headley and it was "working
through legal systems" on the matter.
During the 50-minute meeting at the Blair House, Singh
and Obama discussed a whole range of bilateral issues, besides
Pakistan, situation in Afghanistan and global economic crisis.
The US President said he favoured reduction of tensions
between India and Pakistan but the Prime Minister made it
clear that the "future of South Asia would be determined by
the manner in which terrorism is tackled".
Singh emphasised that Pakistan needed to take
"convincing action" against those responsible for Mumbai
attacks, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters
while briefing the meeting.
Obama said the US understood India's concerns with
regard to activities of Lashkar-e Taiba and other terror
groups from Pakistan and Afghanistan and that Washington was
"engaging" Pakistan on these issues.
While talking about the menace of terrorism emanating
from Pakistan, Singh referred to Headley,activities of LeT and
its chief Hafiz Saeed and al-Qaida terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri,
Rao said.
"Unfortunately, there is no will on part of Pakiistan
to punish those responsible for terrorist attacks in Mumbai,"
Rao quoted the Prime Minister as telling Obama.
"This is where partnership of India and the US could
make the difference," PM told Obama.
To a question, Rao said the fate of Indo-Pak dialogue
had no connection with today's meeting between Singh and
Obama. She said the US as also the entire world was aware of
India's approach on dialogue with Pakistan.

"The US fully understands" India's position on the
dialogue.
India has suspended composite dialogue since the 26/11
attacks and has refused to resume it till Pakistan takes
concrete and transparent action against those behind the
terror strike.
Rao said, there would be no meeting between Singh and
Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani here during the
Nuclear Security Summit but did not categorically rule out
such a possibility in Bhutan during the upcoming SAARC Summit.
Sources said, Singh told Obama about India's
scepticism on Pakistan Army's role and pressed the US to
ensure that army's influence diminished in Pakistan.
Obama said India has the goodwill and understanding in
the US. Noting that shared Singh's vision for South Asia,
Obama said, he understands India's interest in Afghanistan and
recognises its role. He expressed support to India's continued
assistance programme in Afghanistan.
While talking about Indo-US counter-terrorism
cooperation, Obama said the US was working through legal
systems for provision of access to Headley.
He said he was supportive of India's request for
provision of access. On India's concerns over misuse of US
military supplies to Pakistan, Obama said the US was sensitive
to these worries and would monitor the end use of the material
given.
Singh told Obama that India was poised for high
economic growth of 9-10 per cent but for it to happen, a
climate of peace was needed in South Asia.
The Prime Minister said in ensuring this
"architecture of high economic growth, what happens in our
neighbourhood is of crucial importance", Rao said.
"The terrorist onslaught in our region, if persisted,
could affect our economic growth," Singh told Obama
while underlining the need for tackling the issue of terror.
"How this menace is tackled will determine the
future of the South Asian region," Singh told Obama while
specifically referring to happenings in Pakistan and
Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister said there had been "tremendous
rise" in infiltration from Pakistan.
While seeking the US' cooperation in putting
pressure on Pakistan, Singh said India and the US stood on the
same side on this issue of dealing with terrorism.

During the meeting, the issue of Civil Nuclear Liability
Bill also came up with Obama hoping that it would be passed by
Parliament as expeditiously as possible.
Singh told him that the bill was going through the
democratic processes.
The passage of the bill, which is a crucial step in
the implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal, has got caught
in a political quagmire with opposition parties objecting to
certain provisions in it, including the use of word 'cap' for
Rs 500 crore compensation to be paid by the operator in the
case of a nuclear accident.
The Indian government has indicated its readiness to made
some changes in it and the bill is expected to be introduced
in Parliament in the second part of the Budget Session
starting on April 15.
The two leaders, while reviewing the Indo-US ties,
expressed satisfaction at the "good progress" made in the
relations since they met last in November last year here.
They said they were looking forward to the strategic
dialogue to be held between the two countries on June 3.
Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna will be coming
here for that purpose.
Singh also told Obama that India was eagerly looking
forward to his first visit to the country.
The Indian Prime Minister said Obama had "caught
imagination of millions of people around the world, including
those in India who were anxious to see him soon there", the
Foreign Secretary said.
The US President is expected to undertake the visit
this year and dates for it are being finalised. PTI AKK
PRS