Placing the onus squarely on the shoulders of what he called a rising India,US President Barack Obama made a fresh push for reconciliation and peace between New Delhi and Islamabad saying that,more than any other country,India had the biggest stake in the stability and success of Pakistan. In a forceful articulation of this new nuance of Washingtons advocacy for détente in South Asia,Obama urged the neighbours to develop trust,begin talking about less controversial issues first and then move on to the tough negotiations that have bedeviled their ties for more than half a century. While admitting he was aware that this effort would not bear fruit immediately,he was also quick to add that Washington would only be a friend and partner in this process and not impose anything on either country. It was for the two countries to arrive at their own understandings in terms of how the relationship evolves,he underlined. Obviously,the history between India and Pakistan has been incredibly complex,and was born of much tragedy and much violence. It may be surprising to some of you to hear me say this but I am convinced that the country that has the biggest stake in Pakistans success is India, Obama said at the town hall style interaction with students from across Mumbai at St. Xaviers College. I think that if Pakistan is unstable,thats bad for India. Pakistan is stable and prosperous,thats good. Indian government sources and analysts said that while this has been a stand Washington has been subtly stressing since the Obama administration took power,Sundays vocal public expression of the same would renew pressure on New Delhi to continue engaging Islamabad. Indias on the move and it is in your interest that at a time when you are starting to succeed in incredible ways on the global economic stage,that you want security and stability in your region, Obama said in response to a question on why the US had not designated Pakistan a terrorist state. So my hope is that over time,trust develops between the two countries,that dialogue begins,perhaps on less controversial issues,building up to more controversial issues,and over time there is a recognition that India and Pakistan can live side by side in peace and that both countries can prosper. That will not happen tomorrow,but I think that needs to be our ultimate goal, he said. By the way,the United States stands to be a friend and a partner in that process but we cant impose that on India and Pakistan. Ultimately,India and Pakistan have to arrive at their own understandings, he added. Responding to a question about terrorism emanating from Pakistan,Obama took a diplomatic line and said that Pakistan was a country with enormous potential but had been gripped by extremist elements that were not unique to that country. The Pakistani government is very aware of that. And what we have tried to do over the last several years,certainly I will just speak of my foreign policy,has been to engage aggressively the Pakistani government to communicate that we want nothing more than a stable,prosperous,peaceful Pakistan. And that we will work with the Pakistan government in order to eradicate this extremism that we consider a cancer within the country that can potentially engulf the country, Obama said. I think the Pakistani government understands now the potential threat that exists within their own borders. There are more Pakistanis that have been killed by terrorists inside Pakistan than anywhere else. Progress is not as quick as we like. Probably because when you get into some of the northwest territories these are very difficult terrain,very entrenched,the Pakistani army has actually shifted some of its emphasis and focus into those areas but thats not originally what their armed forces were designed to do. So they are having to adapt and adjust, he said. I think there is a growing recognition but its something that doesnt happen overnight of what a profound problem this is. Our feeling has been to be honest and forthright with Pakistan that we are your friend and that this is a problem and we will help you but the problem has to be addressed. Responding to a question on Afghanistan,Obama said he was confident a stable Afghanistan is achievable. Will it look exactly as I might design a democracy? Probably not. It will take on an Afghan character. Indias investment in the development of Afghanistan is appreciated. Pakistan has to be a partner in this process. In fact all countries in the region are going to need to be partners in that. And,in fact,the US welcomes that. We dont think we can do this alone, he said.
