Obama's Pak-Afghan policy in consonance with Indian stand

Dubai, Feb 26 (PTI) US President Barack Obama's policy
focus in the war against terror is in consonance with India's
belief that elements operating from Pakistan and Taliban-held
areas of Afghanistan are the "biggest source" of terrorism,
India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said.

In an interview to Dubai-based Khaleej Times newspaper,
Mukherjee expressed hope that US policies in Pakistan would be
directed at the elimination of terrorist elements in that
country.

"President Obama's focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan in
its fight against international terrorism converges in many
ways with India's own belief that elements operating from
Pakistan and the Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan are
the biggest source of international terrorism.

"We hope that US policies in Pakistan would be directed
at the elimination of terrorist elements that have taken root
in territories under Pakistan's control and have been allowed
unfettered growth over many years," he said.

He said the situation in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border
regions was of "great concern" to India and needs to be dealt
with in an "united manner".

On Sri Lanka where the government forces are on the verge
of uprooting the LTTE, Mukherjee said the plight of civilians
trapped in the war zone is a matter of "serious concern" and
stressed the need of a political solution to the conflict.

"The fact that civilians and internally displaced persons
are caught up with the conflict is a matter of serious concern
for us. I visited Sri Lanka last month to take up this matter,
including the need to ensure the safety and security of the
civilians," Mukherjee said.

Pointing out that Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa
had, immediately after his visit to Colombo, announced a
48-hour period for civilians to cross over to safer areas,
Mukherjee said India had asked the Sri Lankan government to
"start the political process urgently".

"We continue to maintain the need for a negotiated
political settlement of issues acceptable to all communities
in Sri Lanka, including the Tamil community," he said.

On India's partnership with UAE in combating terrorism,
Mukherjee said India is in talks with the country to put in
place an institutional mechanism for combating terrorism.

"We are currently holding discussions with UAE to
conclude an agreement — a Memorandum of Understanding for
cooperation on combating terrorism, to put in place an
institutional mechanism," he said, without elaborating
further.

Asked if India's growing ties with Israel were affecting
its relations with the Arab world, the Minister said New Delhi
supports the Arab Peace Initiative and a viable and sovereign
Palestinian state and has opposed the expansion of Israeli
settlements in Palestinian territory.

"Our support for the Palestinian cause has been
consistent. India is supporting the peaceful resolution of the
conflict in West Asia resulting in a sovereign, independent,
viable and united state of Palestine, living within secure and
recognised borders, side by side and at peace with Israel," he
said.

He said India's bilateral relations with any country are
not conducted "at the expense of our relations with any other
country".

To a question on the ruling party in India "beginning to
woo" the estranged Left parties ahead of the general
elections, Mukherjee said any alliance will depend on "how the
numbers add up" post elections.

"What will happen in post-election scenario will depend
on how the numbers add up. It is too early to speculate on
this. Along with other UPA partners, we are hopeful of a
comfortable majority," he said. PTI WAJ