President Barack Obama today said that progress made by Pakistan in fighting terrorism was not as quick as the US would like to to see. He also called for a military response in a significant ongoing way against those who perpetrated terror attacks in Mumbai and New York. Interacting with students of St Xaviers College in Mumbai, President Barack Obama also made it clear that the United States cannot impose itself on Indo-Pak relations . Without referring to Jammu and Kashmir , President endorsed India's stand, that less contentious issues should be taken up first in an Indo-Pak dialogue process. Obama expressed hope that over time, trust develops between India and Pakistan and dialogue begins perhaps on the less controversial issues building upto more controversial issues. President obama asserted that US is engaged aggressively with Islamabad to eradicate extremism which he described as cancer that has the potential to engulf the entire country. He said that India has the biggest stake in stable and peaceful Pakistan . Asserting that Indo-US relations will be indispensable in shaping the 21st century , Obama said that Partnership between the two largest democracies have a limitless potential. Referring to his proposed talks with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, he said, he will make specific announcements on issues like counter-terrorism, regional security and clean energy after the talks. Earlier, in an intercation with farmers of Kanpura village, 50 kms from Ajmer through video conferencing President Obama expressed happiness with the progress made with the help of Informations technology. The Minister of State for IT and Communications, Sachin Pilot who coordinated the inter-action said that technological revolution was changing the lifestyle of rural India. Obama began his second day in Mumbai by celebrating Diwali with school students of Holy Name School in the metropolitan city . The President and first lady surpised every one when danced to a folk music of Maharashtra.
News On AIR | November 7, 2010 4:52 PM
Progress in fighting terror in Pak is not as quick as we like to see: Obama