PM: Expectations on Sharif meet lowered

Asserting that Pakistan remained the “epicentre of terror”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Friday that expectations had to be “toned down” over his coming meeting with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif in New York on Sunday. Addressing the media at the White House here after holding talks with US President Barack Obama, Dr Singh said the expectations have to be lowered given the terror machinery which is still active in the subcontinent. While the Prime Minister said he was looking forward to the meeting with Mr Sharif in New York, the strong words relating to Pakistan come against the grim backdrop of the twin terror strikes near Jammu on Thursday and the strident calls back home to call off the meeting. On his Oval Office talks with President Obama, he said: “We discussed the situation in the region, including Afghanistan and Pakistan. I explained to President Obama the difficulties that we face given the fact that the epicentre of terror still remains focused in Pakistan. “I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif even though the expectations have to be toned down given the terror arm which is still active in our subcontinent.” On his part, Mr Obama said both of them had discussed Afghanistan and Pakistan. “We had a chance to discuss Pakistan and our shared interest in seeing a peaceful reduction of tensions on the subcontinent. We want to very much thank Prime Minister Singh for what has been a consistent interest in improving cooperation between India and Pakistan,” Mr Obama said, praising the efforts of the Prime Minister in improving India’s relationship with Pakistan. Noting that they had an opportunity to discuss the tensions that continue to exist in the subcontinent, Mr Obama said: “We both have a shared interest in making sure that Afghanistan continues on its path to a peaceful democratic country.” Dr Singh praised Mr Obama’s vision of giving diplomacy yet another chance in Syria and Iran, saying India fully supported these initiatives because six million Indians eke their livelihood in the Middle East. “Therefore anything that contributes to peace and security in Iran and Syria will help global peace and economy,” he said. Speaking on Syria, Mr Obama applauded the deal that has been reached on a United Nations resolution to eliminate chemical weapons stockpiles in that country, calling it a potentially huge victory for the international community. Mr Obama said he is “very hopeful for the prospects of what can be accomplished”, and applauded a framework that is legally binding, verifiable and enforceable. He argued that his threat of military strikes was crucial to reaching the agreement, but said he always preferred a diplomatic solution. “I have always expressed a preference for resolving this diplomatically,” Mr Obama said. He added that there were still questions about Syria’s follow-through, as well as the technical details of removing chemical weapons in the midst of Syria’s civil war. “Obviously, there’s a lot of work to be done,” he said.