PM 2 LST

The Indian 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 the issue of dealing with terrorism.
"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 terrorism.
"How this menace is tackled will determine the future of
the South Asian region," he said, specifically referring to
happenings in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
To a question, Rao said the fate of Indo-Pak dialogue
had no connection with Monday'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, she said.
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 strikes.
Rao said there would be no meeting between Singh and
Gilani here during the Nuclear Security Summit, but did not
categorically rule out such a possibility in Bhutan during the
upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
(SAARC) meet.
During the meeting, the issue of Civil Nuclear Liability
Bill also came up, with Obama hoping that it would be passed
by the Indian 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
event of a nuclear accident.
The Indian government has indicated its readiness to make
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.
India's 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. PTI