India's Singh urges US to stay committed in Afghanistan, Pakistan

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (pictured) arrived in Washington on Sunday for a state visit with US President Barack Obama, urging him to stay committed in Afghanistan and to pressure Pakistan to act against Islamic extremists.

AFP - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday started a high-profile state visit to the United States with a call on President Barack Obama to stay committed on Afghanistan and pressure Pakistan.
   
The Indian premier arrived at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington to kick off the first full-fledged state visit of Obama's presidency, which will culminate in a swank black-tie dinner at the White House on Tuesday.
   
While a host of issues are on the table, experts say Obama's main intention was to demonstrate his commitment to the world's largest democracy after an early focus on working with its neighbors China and Pakistan.
   
But Singh made clear he would not shy away from offering advice on the top foreign issue for Obama -- Afghanistan. Obama is wrapping up weeks of deliberation on whether to reinforce the 68,000 US troops who will be in Afghanistan by year-end.
   
"It is very important that both the US and the global community stay engaged in Afghanistan," Singh said in an interview with The Washington Post and Newsweek, warning of civil war if US forces withdrew.
   
Singh also called for the Obama administration to pressure Pakistan to rein in Islamic extremists, saying that India's historic rival has not done enough against militants blamed for last year's chilling assault on Mumbai.
   
"We have been the victims of Pakistan-aided, -abetted and-inspired terrorism for nearly 25 years. We would like the United States to use all its influence with Pakistan to desist from that path," Singh said in the interview.
   
"Pakistan has nothing to fear from India. It's a tragedy that Pakistan has come to the point of using terror as an instrument of state policy," he said.
   
He doubted that Pakistan and the United States had the same objectives in Afghanistan, saying that Islamabad's main interest was to maintain a grip on its northern neighbor.
   
"I don't see Pakistan wholeheartedly in support of action against the Taliban in Afghanistan. They of course are taking action against the Taliban, but only when it threatens the supremacy of the army," he said.
   
Pakistan was the chief backer of the Taliban regime until the September 11, 2001 attacks, when it turned overnight into the frontline US partner in dislodging the hardline Islamic militia.
   
Obama has expanded his strategy to focus on reducing the appeal of Islamic radicals in Pakistan. With Obama's backing, Congress approved a giant 7.5 billion-dollar development package for Pakistan -- which has provoked unease among many Indians who fear lax oversight.
   
Singh won wide praise in Washington for his restraint after the Mumbai attacks, which killed 166 people and injured more than 300 more.
   
India said the attacks were coordinated across the border but made little threat of military retaliation, preferring to focus on diplomacy.
   
But in unusually frank remarks, Singh questioned whether President Asif Ali Zardari had full control of Pakistan. Zardari took office last year, ending a decade in power by former army chief Pervez Musharraf.
   
"There is democracy, we would like democracy to succeed and flourish in Pakistan, but we have to recognize that the power today rests virtually with the army," Singh said in a separate interview to CNN.
   
William Burns, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, said that the United States welcomed the Indian role in Afghanistan which includes 1.2 billion dollars in reconstruction assistance since the Taliban's fall.
   
"As our careful assessment of US policy in Afghanistan draws to a conclusion, we will continue to actively consult India as a critical partner in achieving lasting stability there," Burns said ahead of Singh's visit.
   
But any cooperation could invite a greater anti-US backlash in Pakistan, where policymakers fear India's growing role in Afghanistan.
   
Obama and Singh are unlikely to see eye-to-eye on another key issue -- climate change.
   
India and the United States have both urged the other side to commit to more action ahead of next month's high-stakes Copenhagen summit.
 

Date created : 2009-11-23