Pak and terror to dominate Singh-Obama talks- Nov 08, 2010

Pak and terror to dominate Singh-Obama talks

Suhasini Haidar Suhasini Haidar , CNN-IBN

(GOOD WISHES FOR CONCRETE TALK FOR SOLUTIONS AS TEROR IS AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE.THOUGH WE NEED TO FIND SOLUTIONS BY TALKING TO PAKISTAN DIRECTLY!!!....VIBHA)

Posted on Nov 08, 2010 at 07:07 | Updated Nov 08, 2010 at 08:49

New Delhi: US President Barack Obama is expected to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday with India's concern on Pakistan and China likely to dominate the meet. The Prime Minister will also press for visible action on terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba, which India has accused of masterminding the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Ever since the US President landed in India terror in Pakistan has been the elephant in the room. Many were disappointed that Obama was not tougher in his speech at the 26/11 memorial in Mumbai on Saturday.

"On Pakistan and terrorism we should get more specific. He should really show sensitivity that we are the victim of something which is perpetrated and which has a Pakistani hand in it," former External Affairs Ministry official KC Singh said.

Pak and terror to dominate Singh-Obama talks

Even when asked about Pakistan-based terror groups at Mumbai University, Obama was not very clear.

"So our feeling has been to be honest and forthright with Pakistan to say we are your friend and this is the problem and we will help you but the problem has to addressed," Obama had replied.

CNN-IBN learns that India's concerns with Pakistani safe havens for terror groups will feature in if not dominate talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Obama

Sources tell CNN-IBN, Singh and Obama already had preliminary discussions on the subject just before a dinner hosted at the Prime Minister's residence.

More specifically during the bilateral talks at Hyderabad House India will press for visible action against Lashkar-e-Toiba. They will discuss India's role in Afghanistan and India and the US's worries over China's rising aggression. The US is also expected to support but may not endorse India's efforts for a UN Security Council seat.

The two countries will also finalise at least 10 agreements in a slew of fields including trade, clean energy, health, and aviation safety.

But it's their joint push on terror, particularly Pakistan-based groups like the Lashkar-e-Toiba that is likely to make all the headlines.

If Obama got his wish list for American jobs in Mumbai, Monday in New Delhi is likely to be much about India's concern at strategic and regional level.

CNN-IBN has learned that Pakistani safe haven for terror, more action against the Lashkar and the investigation into 26/11 are likely to lead if not dominate talks between Singh and Obama.