Obama steers clear of Indo-Pak issues in his Af-Pak policy

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Dec 2 (PTI) US President Barack Obama
steered clear of Indo-Pak issues while unveiling his new
momentous Af-Pak policy, but he consulted Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh while formulating his strategy.

As the new policy deals extensively with the issue of
confronting terrorism, especially the hardline al-Qaeda,
Taliban and other extremist groups, Obama personally made a
telephone call to Singh on Tuesday to brief him about his new
policy on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The move is in tune with what Obama said, "India is
indispensable" while welcoming Singh at the White House. It is
also recognition of India's growing stature as a regional and
global power.
Inspite of pressure from Islamabad to exclude India
from Afghanistan, the Obama Administration has been highly
appreciative and supportive of New Delhi's role in Kabul.
Unlike six months ago, the Obama Administration now
feels that there is no role for it in Indo-Pak relationship.
This is probably the reason why, there is no reference
to Indo-Pak relationship in Obama's speech, despite Pakistan's
assertion otherwise.
"To lessen tensions between two nuclear-armed nations
that too often teeter on the edge of escalation and
confrontation, we must pursue constructive diplomacy with both
India and Pakistan," Obama said in his March 27 speech,
wherein he announced his new Af-Pak policy in less than 100
days into the White House. PTI LKJ
MYR


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