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U.S. did not push India, Pakistan to talks: Obama

Washington: U.S. President Barack Obama has denied that Washington pushed Pakistan and India to resume talks.

In an interview with Dawn TV, Mr. Obama said: “Well, what we have said is that we think that all of South Asia would benefit by reduced tensions between India and Pakistan.”

On a visit to Delhi earlier this month, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, William Burns had surprised the Indian government with his remarks resonating Pakistan’s view that the resolution of the Kashmir issue should take into account the “wishes” of the people of the State.

Mr. Burns, who had handed over Mr. Obama’s letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had then said the “pace, scope and character” of the India-Pakistan dialogue, suspended since the Mumbai terror attacks, should be decided by the leaders of the two countries.

Mr. Obama said: “I think that dialogue is the best way to reduce tensions. And so, you know, we’re hopeful that Prime Minister Singh and President Zardari — they recently had an opportunity to meet briefly. It wasn’t an extensive conversation but it was the start of what may end up being more productive conversations in the future.”

Taking on board concerns voiced by U.S. lawmakers that the new American financial aid should not be used for building up the Pakistan Army against India, he made it clear that such assistance had to be used against extremism.

“We have in the past supported Pakistan militarily. I think it is important to make sure that military support is directed at extremists and our common enemies,” he said.

The Obama administration has increased the non-military aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year for the next five years.

Asked about fears of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons falling into the hands of extremists, Mr. Obama said, “I have the confidence that the Pakistani government has safeguarded its nuclear arsenal.”

Dwelling on the situation in Afghanistan, the President hoped that the U.S. will not have to send more troops there.

“Now, we do not want to be in a position where we’re having to send troops to Afghanistan, for example. We would love the Afghan government to be secure and stable so that it can ensure that it does not become a safe haven for organisations like Al Qaeda,” he said. — PTI

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