ID :
52829
Mon, 03/30/2009 - 09:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/52829
The shortlink copeid
Singh, Obama set to discuss Pak situation during Apr 2 meeting
H S Rao
London, Mar 29 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
is set to have his first one-on-one meeting with US President
Barack Obama here on April 2 when they will discuss the
volatile situation in Pakistan, days after the US leader vowed
to root out the "cancer" of terrorism emanating from within
the Pakistani borders.
Their meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit will be
crucial, given the fact that the explosive situation in
Pakistan is the most pressing foreign policy concern of the
Obama Administration, according to sources.
Obama, unveiling his new Afghan-Pak policy on March 27,
had made it clear that Pakistan must demonstrate commitment to
root out al-Qaeda and other militant groups within its border.
He also vowed to work more resolutely to "disrupt, defeat
and dismantle" extremists and their safe havens in the region
and underlined that Pakistan needed the US help to wipe out
the "cancer" of terrorism emanating from its soil.
After releasing the new strategy for the region, the
Obama Administration said it had "actively consulted" India
during the comprehensive review of the Afghan-Pak policy.
A host of other international, regional and bilateral
issues are also likely to figure during the talks between
Singh and Obama, the first highest level contact between India
and the new US Administration which assumed office two months
ago.
Benjamin Chang, Deputy Spokesman of National Security
Council at the White House, had earlier said in Washington
that the two leaders will discuss issues like the Afghanistan-
Pakistan strategic review, climate change and the world
economy.
US Deputy Secretary of State James B Steinberg had said
that Washington was committed to expanding its relationship
with India.
"The United States and India must work together to help
address what is one of the most urgent security challenges
facing us -- to work with the democratic governments of
Pakistan and Afghanistan to root out the violent forces that
threaten the stability of the region and pose a direct danger
to the Indian and American homelands.
"We are joined in the searing memories of September 11
and Mumbai in understanding the urgency and importance of
this task," he had said in Washington.
Both Obama and Singh arrive here on Tuesday for the G-20
summit at the Excel Centre of London's Docklands.
On Wednesday, Singh, Obama and other leaders will attend
a dinner hosted by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10
Downing Street. The dinner will be prepared by the celebrity
chef Jamie Oliver.
The spouses of leaders will dine separately, hosted by
Sarah Brown, the wife of the British Premier. PTI HSR
DEP
London, Mar 29 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
is set to have his first one-on-one meeting with US President
Barack Obama here on April 2 when they will discuss the
volatile situation in Pakistan, days after the US leader vowed
to root out the "cancer" of terrorism emanating from within
the Pakistani borders.
Their meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit will be
crucial, given the fact that the explosive situation in
Pakistan is the most pressing foreign policy concern of the
Obama Administration, according to sources.
Obama, unveiling his new Afghan-Pak policy on March 27,
had made it clear that Pakistan must demonstrate commitment to
root out al-Qaeda and other militant groups within its border.
He also vowed to work more resolutely to "disrupt, defeat
and dismantle" extremists and their safe havens in the region
and underlined that Pakistan needed the US help to wipe out
the "cancer" of terrorism emanating from its soil.
After releasing the new strategy for the region, the
Obama Administration said it had "actively consulted" India
during the comprehensive review of the Afghan-Pak policy.
A host of other international, regional and bilateral
issues are also likely to figure during the talks between
Singh and Obama, the first highest level contact between India
and the new US Administration which assumed office two months
ago.
Benjamin Chang, Deputy Spokesman of National Security
Council at the White House, had earlier said in Washington
that the two leaders will discuss issues like the Afghanistan-
Pakistan strategic review, climate change and the world
economy.
US Deputy Secretary of State James B Steinberg had said
that Washington was committed to expanding its relationship
with India.
"The United States and India must work together to help
address what is one of the most urgent security challenges
facing us -- to work with the democratic governments of
Pakistan and Afghanistan to root out the violent forces that
threaten the stability of the region and pose a direct danger
to the Indian and American homelands.
"We are joined in the searing memories of September 11
and Mumbai in understanding the urgency and importance of
this task," he had said in Washington.
Both Obama and Singh arrive here on Tuesday for the G-20
summit at the Excel Centre of London's Docklands.
On Wednesday, Singh, Obama and other leaders will attend
a dinner hosted by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10
Downing Street. The dinner will be prepared by the celebrity
chef Jamie Oliver.
The spouses of leaders will dine separately, hosted by
Sarah Brown, the wife of the British Premier. PTI HSR
DEP
