Obama, Hu back improvement in Indo-Pak ties

Beijing, Nov 17 (PTI) The US and China Tuesday voiced
support for the improvement in Indo-Pak ties and their
readiness to promote peace and stability in the region.
A joint statement issued at the conclusion of President
Barack Obama's talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao
here listed the situation in South Asia among regional and
global challenges.
The two countries "support the improvement and growth
of relations between India and Pakistan," and are ready to
"strengthen communication, dialogue and cooperation on issues
related to South Asia and work together to promote peace,
stability and development in that region," the statement said.
The reference to Indo-Pak ties is rather unusual. The
previous instance of India figuring in a similar statement by
the US and China was way back in 1998 when then American
President Bill Clinton visited here. The Sino-US joint
statement then had references to India's Pokhran nuclear
tests.
Meanwhile, in a delicate balancing act, Obama also
supported early resumption of talks between Beijing and the
Dalai Lama's representatives while describing Tibet as part of
China.
Taking note of the sensitivities of China and the
exiled Tibetan leader, Obama, who is here on a maiden visit as
President, said "we did note that while we recognise that
Tibet is part of the People's Republic of China, the US
supports the early resumption of dialogue" between the Dalai
Lama's representatives and Beijing. PTI