Pakistan ‘can and must’ dismantle all terror networks: Obama

From Lalit K Jha
Washington

In a strong message, US President Barack Obama told Pakistan today that it “can and must” take more effective action against terrorist groups operating from its soil by “delegitimising, disrupting and dismantling” terror networks there.

Describing the terror attack on the IAF base in Pathankot as “another example of the inexcusable terrorism that India has endured for too long”, Obama gave credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reaching out to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif after the attack.

“Both leaders are advancing a dialogue on how to confront violent extremism and terrorism across the region,” Obama told PTI in an interview here during which he answered a wide range of questions covering Indo-US ties, terrorism and outcome of the Paris climate change summit.

Voicing his belief that the Indo-US relationship can be one of the defining partnerships of the century, Obama said that Modi shared his enthusiasm for a strong partnership and “we have developed a friendship and close working relationship, including our conversations on the new secure lines between our offices”.

Asked if the relationship has achieved its full potential, the President replied, “Absolutely not.”

On the Pathankot attack, Obama said, “We join India in condemning the attack, saluting the Indians who fought to prevent more loss of life and extending our condolences to the victims and their families.

“Tragedies like this also underscore why the US and India continue to be such close partners in fighting terrorism.”

Obama was of the view that Sharif recognised that insecurity in Pakistan is a threat to its own stability and that of the region. After the December, 2014 school massacre in Peshawar he had vowed to target all militants, regardless of their agenda or affiliation.

“That is the right policy. Since then, we have seen Pakistan take action against several specific groups. We have also seen continued terrorism inside Pakistan such as the recent attack on the university in north west Pakistan.”

The President said that he still believed that “Pakistan can and must” take more effective action against terrorist groups that operate from its territory.

“Pakistan has an opportunity to show that it is serious about delegitimising, disrupting and dismantling terrorist networks. In the region and around the world, there must be zero tolerance for safe havens and terrorists must be brought to justice,” he asserted in this third interview to PTI.

Referring to bilateral ties with India, Obama said his visit last year reflected how the ties between the two countries have been transformed.

“Since I took office, I have worked to deepen our cooperation with India across the board and I continue to believe that the relationship between India and the United States can be one of the defining partnerships of this century.

“However, common values–two democracies, two innovative economies, two diverse societies–make us natural partners. We are linked by the ties of family–millions of Indian Americans,” the US President said.

He said his hope was that his visit could help spark a new era of cooperation between the two countries and “I believe it did”.

“The past 12 months have been a year of progress across the three priorities that I identified in my speech to the Indian people at Siri Fort.

“We’re deepening our partnerships to promote the development that lifts up our people, including rural Indians- helping farmers, boost their yields and working expanding access to electricity and clean water,” Obama said.

He said both the countries continue to expand the economic partnerships that help reduce poverty and create opportunity, pushing bilateral trade to a record levels, expanding hi-tech collaborations and increasing students exchanges, including for girls and women who deserve the same education and opportunities and boys and men.

Obama said the two countries were doing even more as global partners including more military exercises, greater cooperation in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean region and working together to confront climate change.

“I continue to believe that America can be India’s best partner. So I hope future generations can look back at this moment and see that this was the time when the world’s largest democracy became true global partners.

“In my final year as President, continuing to deepen our ties will continue to be one of my foreign policy priorities,” Obama said.

NGOs should not be stifled: Obama
Washington

In apparent criticism of the Indian government’s crackdown on certain NGOs, US President Barack Obama said today that civil society groups that strengthen communities need to be supported and not “stifled”.

The US has been critical of the Indian government’s action against NGOs particularly Greenpeace which was barred from receiving foreign funds and whose registration was cancelled in September last.

Washington had expressed worries about the “potentially chilling effects of such actions”.

Obama made a reference to the civil society groups in the course of an interview to PTI while answering a question on his goals for the India-US relationship in the last year of his presidency.

He outlined the areas in which the ties could be put on a “new trajectory for years to come” and “lock in our gains” so far.

The President emphasised that there was much more that the US and India can do together and went on to say “India can be a strong voice in support of the universal rights and dignity of all people, regardless of background or religion.

“We need to support, not stifle, the civil society groups that strengthen communities”, he remarked cryptically. PTI

US to ‘look at’ export controls to help Indian firms: Obama
Washington

President Barack Obama today promised to “look at” export controls to make sure Indian firms have the same access to American technologies as “closest allies” and expressed the hope that the new year will see deals for the US companies to build new reactors in India.

Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to cut red tape and make it easier for doing business in India, he said both countries can do even more to increase the trade and investment that creates jobs for people in both nations.

He said the bilateral trade “is still just a fraction of what it could be” and both countries can do more.

Bilateral trade between India and the US is now around USD 100 billion – rising five-fold in the last decade.

Obama and Modi have set a goal of taking it to USD 500 billion in the next few years.

“Under our civil nuclear agreement, we’re hopeful that this year will see deals for US companies to build new reactors, which will mean more reliable electricity for Indians…

“For our part, the United States continues to look at our export controls to make sure Indian companies have the same access to American technology as our closest allies,” Obama told PTI in wide-ranging interview.

The US, he said, continued to welcome trade arrangements that meet high standards as well as reforms to protect intellectual property and promote a predictable and a consistent business environment that truly welcomes investments.

Asked how he would like India-US relationship to be remembered as and the things he would like to achieve in the last year of his Presidency, Obama said there is much more that the two countries can do as global partners.

“As leaders in science and technology, we can expand our efforts to combat disease and promote public health in Africa and beyond.

“With collaborations like Mission Innovation, we can be leaders in clean energy and spare our people the worst effects of climate change. As members of the G20, we can work together to boost global growth. By moving ahead with our joint vision, we can ensure the security, prosperity and dignity of people across the Asia Pacific,” he said.

Given the momentum of the past year, Obama said the new year is an opportunity to lock in the gains and put the US- India relationship on a new trajectory for years to come.

“I believe there’s still so much more we can be doing together to realise the full potential of our partnership in the three areas I identified last year,” he said.