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Mumbai : US President Barack Obama today said the progress by Pakistan in fighting terrorism is not
quick as 'we would like' and asserted that they were working with Islamabad to eradicate extremism which is a 'cancer'.
Noting that there are going to be some elements in Pakistan that are affiliated with Taliban, Al Qaeda and LeT,
he said they are 'irreconcilable' and there needs to be a military response to those who perpetrate violence like they
did in Mumbai and New York in a 'significant, ongoing' way.
Obama also observed that it would surprise Indians when he says this that it is in India's interest that Pakistan
remains 'peaceful, stable and prosperous' and that the US will work with Islamabad to reject extremism which is a 'cancer'
which threatens to engulf it.
Interacting with students of St Xaviers College here in a typical US town-hall style meeting, he expressed
confidence that in time, trust develops between India and Pakistan and dialogue begins perhaps from 'less controversial
issues building upto more controversial issues'.
'India and Pakistan can prosper and live side by side, this will not happen tomorrow but needs to be the ultimate
goal. The US can be a partner but cannot impose this process. India and Pakistan have their own understanding,' he said.
He made these comments when a girl student asked why Pakistan was not being declared a terrorist state by the US.
Obama reacted that it was a good question and said 'I must admit that I was expecting it'.
On the issue of trade, part of the reason why he was travelling to Asia, Obama said: 'I believe that the US will grow and prosper if we are trading with Asia, the fastest growing region of the world. We want access to your market.
'We think we have good products to sell, you think you guys have good products to sell to us. This can be a win-win
situation.'
Painting a picture of the US economy and the mood of the people, he said: 'unemployment in the US is very high now...
so people are frustrated... one of the most wonderful things about democracy is that when people are not happy, they have a
right to express their unhappiness.'
Official data showed that US unemployment was at a high of 9.6 per cent. Yesterday, Obama announced private trade
deals between US and Indian companies worth USD 10 billion and ones that would create over 50,000 jobs back home.
He said he was committed to move America forward for which 'we have to invest in education and that will be the
primary driver of growth in the future... We have to invest in strong infrastructure, we have to make sure we are taking
advantage of opportunities like clean energy.'
Obama said he would take up many of these issues during his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for enhancing
cooperation, which he said was sure to create a 'win-win situation. So, I want to make sure we are here, because this
will create jobs in the US and create jobs in India.'
Stressing on a greater role for India on the global stage, he said: 'Most of the work I did with Prime Minister
Singh in the first two years in the G20, we were focussed in making sure that world financial system did not collapse and
stabilise the economy.'
PTI
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quick as 'we would like' and asserted that they were working with Islamabad to eradicate extremism which is a 'cancer'.
Noting that there are going to be some elements in Pakistan that are affiliated with Taliban, Al Qaeda and LeT,he said they are 'irreconcilable' and there needs to be a military response to those who perpetrate violence like they
did in Mumbai and New York in a 'significant, ongoing' way.
Obama also observed that it would surprise Indians when he says this that it is in India's interest that Pakistan
remains 'peaceful, stable and prosperous' and that the US will work with Islamabad to reject extremism which is a 'cancer'
which threatens to engulf it.
Interacting with students of St Xaviers College here in a typical US town-hall style meeting, he expressed
confidence that in time, trust develops between India and Pakistan and dialogue begins perhaps from 'less controversial
issues building upto more controversial issues'.
'India and Pakistan can prosper and live side by side, this will not happen tomorrow but needs to be the ultimate
goal. The US can be a partner but cannot impose this process. India and Pakistan have their own understanding,' he said.
He made these comments when a girl student asked why Pakistan was not being declared a terrorist state by the US.
Obama reacted that it was a good question and said 'I must admit that I was expecting it'.
On the issue of trade, part of the reason why he was travelling to Asia, Obama said: 'I believe that the US will grow and prosper if we are trading with Asia, the fastest growing region of the world. We want access to your market.
'We think we have good products to sell, you think you guys have good products to sell to us. This can be a win-win
situation.'
Painting a picture of the US economy and the mood of the people, he said: 'unemployment in the US is very high now...
so people are frustrated... one of the most wonderful things about democracy is that when people are not happy, they have a
right to express their unhappiness.'
Official data showed that US unemployment was at a high of 9.6 per cent. Yesterday, Obama announced private trade
deals between US and Indian companies worth USD 10 billion and ones that would create over 50,000 jobs back home.
He said he was committed to move America forward for which 'we have to invest in education and that will be the
primary driver of growth in the future... We have to invest in strong infrastructure, we have to make sure we are taking
advantage of opportunities like clean energy.'
Obama said he would take up many of these issues during his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for enhancing
cooperation, which he said was sure to create a 'win-win situation. So, I want to make sure we are here, because this
will create jobs in the US and create jobs in India.'
Stressing on a greater role for India on the global stage, he said: 'Most of the work I did with Prime Minister
Singh in the first two years in the G20, we were focussed in making sure that world financial system did not collapse and
stabilise the economy.'
PTI
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