Last Wednesday,President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan had a wide-ranging discussion on matters of mutual interest to the two countries.They acknowledged the substantial progress in the bilateral relationship over the past year and noted its resiliency,the White House said.President Obama conveyed appreciation for Pakistan's internal and regional security challenges and affirmed that a peaceful,prosperous and democratic Pakistan was an essential partner for the United States in the advancement of shared goals of peace,security and socioeconomic development in South Asia.
Both Leaders welcomed the resumption of the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue and reaffirmed its importance as the suitable framework for guiding the bilateral relationship.Secretary Kerry will host the forthcoming Ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue by March 2014.They also decided the strategic priorities for the working groups,including:1.Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism 2.Economics and Finance 3.Energy 4.Security,Strategic Stability,and Non-Proliferation;and 5.the Defense Consultation Group.
Taking note of the robust bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries-including recent miltary engagements,exercises and consultations on regional security-President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum achieved in defense realtions and reaffirmed that this partnership should continue to grow and endure.
The two Leaders noted with satisfaction that the Ground Lines of Communication(GLOCs) are facilitating the movement of US and ISAF cargo through Pakistan.The US plans to continue providing assistance and support,including training and equipment to Pakistan's military and security services.The two Leaders decided to strengthen their cooperation,including in regional maritime security.President Obama noted Pakistan's positive efforts to counter IED's and both leaders resolved to continue working together to disrupt the threat posed by these devices.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Asia This Day:Pakistan-US Relations;Indian Grand Prix
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif concluded several days of dialogue in Washington when he met with President Barack Obama on Wednesday.Mr.Sharif,63,had begun his unprecedented third term as Prime Minister on June 5,2013 following a smooth democratic process.A noted businessman,he owns the industrial conglomerate Ittefaq Group.
Speaking at the White House,the two Leaders assessed their talks for the news media in a serious yet relaxed atmosphere.To see a peaceful transition was an enormous milestone for Pakistan and a testament to the Pakistani people's desire for democracy,the President said.The United States considers Pakistan to be an important strategic partner.
We discussed how the United States could potentially be helpful on energy projects and infrastructure projects.The Prime Minister emphasized how trade can be a powerful engine for growth as well.
We talked about security.We agreed we need to find constructive ways to partner together,in ways that respect both countries.Both the Pakistani people and the American people have suffered from terrorism in the past.It can be a source of strength for our two countries to work together in this way.I pledged to fully brief the Prime Minister and his government as we make progress not only for the Afghan elections,but to long term progress in the region.
The resources India and Pakistan are spending on arms would be better spent on social programs,for the good of the world.We want want to be fully supportive of continued progress in Pakistan.As a young man,I had the opportunity to visit Pakistan,the President recalled warmly.
Despite occasional misunderstanding and tensions,the fundamental good will between the American and Pakistani people will be reflected in our governmental relations,President Obama said.*
I have just had a most cordial exchange of views with the President,Prime Minister Sharif said.Over the past 65 years,our two nations have traveled together.I advised him of our domestic and foreign policy priorities:the economy;education;and combating extremism.We both agreed focusing on these areas is indispensable.
Pakistan and the United States have a strong ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.I raised the issue of drones and the need to end these strikes.Let there be no doubt about our commitment for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.I told President Obama about my sincere commitment to build a peaceful relationship with India.I also assured the President as a responsible nuclear state,Pakistan would continue to act with restraint.
I look forward to welcoming you and Mrs.Obama to Pakistan,Mr.Sharif concluded.*
In sport,Red Bull Racing scored their fourth straight double victory at the Formula One Indian Grand Prix in New Delhi Sunday,taking both the constructor's title and the world driving championship with Sebastian Vettel,who seemed to be quite the fan favourite in India.It was Vettel's tenth win of the season,and his sixth straight,as he enters the upper echelon of drivers in the history of the sport.
Vettel,26,was beside himself with joy,ignoring his instructions to follow the staid post-race protocol of F1.Instead,he made several donuts with his car to the delight of the fans,then got out of the car and made prostrations to the crowd.Their were no boos such as he faced in Europe as he mounted the podium;only chants of approval from his legion of Indian followers.
For me to join people like Prost,Fangio and Michael(Shumacher) is unbelievable,Vettel said.So many people I have to thank that have been teaching me a lot.I don't feel old.Maybe in 10 years' time I'm a little bit better at understanding what we have done this far,the German driver reflected.At his age,the great Alain Prost had yet to achieve his first Grand Prix win.*
In golf,the CIMB Classic at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club,Malaysia,the historic first ever PGA Tour event in Asia,was won by American Ryan Moore,30,in a playoff with his compatriot Gary Woodland.It was Moore's third career victory and his second in twelve months.He has played on the PGA Tour for nine years.
Next weekend,the PGA Tour moves on to Shanghai for its second and final Asian stop of the 2013-14 season.It is generally recognised as being the pre-eminent tour in professional golf.*
Speaking at the White House,the two Leaders assessed their talks for the news media in a serious yet relaxed atmosphere.To see a peaceful transition was an enormous milestone for Pakistan and a testament to the Pakistani people's desire for democracy,the President said.The United States considers Pakistan to be an important strategic partner.
We discussed how the United States could potentially be helpful on energy projects and infrastructure projects.The Prime Minister emphasized how trade can be a powerful engine for growth as well.
We talked about security.We agreed we need to find constructive ways to partner together,in ways that respect both countries.Both the Pakistani people and the American people have suffered from terrorism in the past.It can be a source of strength for our two countries to work together in this way.I pledged to fully brief the Prime Minister and his government as we make progress not only for the Afghan elections,but to long term progress in the region.
The resources India and Pakistan are spending on arms would be better spent on social programs,for the good of the world.We want want to be fully supportive of continued progress in Pakistan.As a young man,I had the opportunity to visit Pakistan,the President recalled warmly.
Despite occasional misunderstanding and tensions,the fundamental good will between the American and Pakistani people will be reflected in our governmental relations,President Obama said.*
I have just had a most cordial exchange of views with the President,Prime Minister Sharif said.Over the past 65 years,our two nations have traveled together.I advised him of our domestic and foreign policy priorities:the economy;education;and combating extremism.We both agreed focusing on these areas is indispensable.
Pakistan and the United States have a strong ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.I raised the issue of drones and the need to end these strikes.Let there be no doubt about our commitment for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.I told President Obama about my sincere commitment to build a peaceful relationship with India.I also assured the President as a responsible nuclear state,Pakistan would continue to act with restraint.
I look forward to welcoming you and Mrs.Obama to Pakistan,Mr.Sharif concluded.*
In sport,Red Bull Racing scored their fourth straight double victory at the Formula One Indian Grand Prix in New Delhi Sunday,taking both the constructor's title and the world driving championship with Sebastian Vettel,who seemed to be quite the fan favourite in India.It was Vettel's tenth win of the season,and his sixth straight,as he enters the upper echelon of drivers in the history of the sport.
Vettel,26,was beside himself with joy,ignoring his instructions to follow the staid post-race protocol of F1.Instead,he made several donuts with his car to the delight of the fans,then got out of the car and made prostrations to the crowd.Their were no boos such as he faced in Europe as he mounted the podium;only chants of approval from his legion of Indian followers.
For me to join people like Prost,Fangio and Michael(Shumacher) is unbelievable,Vettel said.So many people I have to thank that have been teaching me a lot.I don't feel old.Maybe in 10 years' time I'm a little bit better at understanding what we have done this far,the German driver reflected.At his age,the great Alain Prost had yet to achieve his first Grand Prix win.*
In golf,the CIMB Classic at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club,Malaysia,the historic first ever PGA Tour event in Asia,was won by American Ryan Moore,30,in a playoff with his compatriot Gary Woodland.It was Moore's third career victory and his second in twelve months.He has played on the PGA Tour for nine years.
Next weekend,the PGA Tour moves on to Shanghai for its second and final Asian stop of the 2013-14 season.It is generally recognised as being the pre-eminent tour in professional golf.*
Friday, October 25, 2013
China Gets It,Indian Prime Minister Says
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed satisfaction with his four day visit to China Thursday as he spoke aboard Air India One on his flight back home.There is a commitment on the part of both China and India that peace and tranquility on the border is a pre-requisite for progress in our relationship,Dr.Singh remarked.So I am reasonably satisfied that the Chinese leadership is as serious as we are in ensuring peace and tranquility on the India-China border.*
The Border Defence Cooperation Agreement was signed during the visit.It stipulates that both sides will notify the other of border patrols,and that military leaders will establish better communication with their counterparts on the other side.They will also avoid the practice of having patrols tail one another,in order to prevent antagonism.The two countries have never formally defined their border.*
A pact on the two nations' trans-border river system was also signed.I raised the issue again and there is incremental progress,the prime minister reported.They have agreed to provide data for more number of days.Also they have recognised that the behaviour of the trans-border river system is of interest to all riparian states.So our concerns have been put on the table.I hope there will be more progress in the years to come,Prime Minister Monmohan Singh said.*
In sum,it seems that India's interests were vigorously represented to China,and some significant agreements protecting them signed,over the course of the extensive dialogue between the two nuclear powers.*
The Border Defence Cooperation Agreement was signed during the visit.It stipulates that both sides will notify the other of border patrols,and that military leaders will establish better communication with their counterparts on the other side.They will also avoid the practice of having patrols tail one another,in order to prevent antagonism.The two countries have never formally defined their border.*
A pact on the two nations' trans-border river system was also signed.I raised the issue again and there is incremental progress,the prime minister reported.They have agreed to provide data for more number of days.Also they have recognised that the behaviour of the trans-border river system is of interest to all riparian states.So our concerns have been put on the table.I hope there will be more progress in the years to come,Prime Minister Monmohan Singh said.*
In sum,it seems that India's interests were vigorously represented to China,and some significant agreements protecting them signed,over the course of the extensive dialogue between the two nuclear powers.*
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Singh,Putin Focus On Terrorism;Pakistani PM in Washington
The focus of Monday's meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Vladimir Putin was on terrorism and those who are not vigilant enough about it on their territory,i.e.,Pakistan,even as Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is on a four day visit to Washington.Following their talks,the two leaders strongly condemned countries that tolerate terrorists within their borders.States that provide aid,abetment and shelter for such terrorist activities are themselves as guilty as the actual perpetrators of terrorism.They need to irreversibly shut down terrorist networks,organisations and infrastructure,and show tangible movement in investigating and bringing quickly to justice those responsible for acts of terrorism.*
Singh and Putin expressed opposition to Pakistan's attempts to rehabilitate Taliban militants,and concern about Afghanistan's future post-2014,when NATO and coalition forces will have largely departed the war-torn country.Anti-Taliban sanctions should be maintained,the Indian and Russian leaders agreed.The sides considered it necessary to extend the sanctions regime introduced by the UN Security Council against the Taliban as one of the most important tools of fighting terrorism.They also said the Mumbai attacks were acts of terror whose perpetrators must be brought to book-referring to Lashkar-e-Tayibba in Pakistan,whose efforts to arrest and try the militants are seen to be anemic by Russia and India.*
Agreement on the building of units 3 and 4 at the Kudankula nuclear power plant on India's southern coast was not ready for signing at the meeting between Singh and Putin.India has enacted tough new safety requirements in light of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011.
Even as Putin and Singh were meeting,Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in Washington for four days of high level talks with US officials,including President Barack Obama on Wednesday,as well as Secretary of State John Kerry and Members of Congress.It is the third meeting between Sharif and Kerry in the last three months;it continued the robust dialogue on our shared goal of a stable,secure and prosperous Pakistan,the State Department said.*
Mr.Sharif tried to draw the US into the Kashmir territorial dispute between Pakistan and India while he was in London,describing it as a nuclear flashpoint.The US rebuffed him,however,saying Kashmir was strictly a matter for the two South Asian nations to resolve among themselves.*
The US has quietly resumed military and economic aid to Pakistan in recent days,following a period of tension after the unauthorised US raid and killing of Osama bin Laden on Pakistani territory in May 2011,as well as a US drone strike that mistakenly killed two dozen Pakistani troops in November 2011.*
Singh and Putin expressed opposition to Pakistan's attempts to rehabilitate Taliban militants,and concern about Afghanistan's future post-2014,when NATO and coalition forces will have largely departed the war-torn country.Anti-Taliban sanctions should be maintained,the Indian and Russian leaders agreed.The sides considered it necessary to extend the sanctions regime introduced by the UN Security Council against the Taliban as one of the most important tools of fighting terrorism.They also said the Mumbai attacks were acts of terror whose perpetrators must be brought to book-referring to Lashkar-e-Tayibba in Pakistan,whose efforts to arrest and try the militants are seen to be anemic by Russia and India.*
Agreement on the building of units 3 and 4 at the Kudankula nuclear power plant on India's southern coast was not ready for signing at the meeting between Singh and Putin.India has enacted tough new safety requirements in light of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011.
Even as Putin and Singh were meeting,Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in Washington for four days of high level talks with US officials,including President Barack Obama on Wednesday,as well as Secretary of State John Kerry and Members of Congress.It is the third meeting between Sharif and Kerry in the last three months;it continued the robust dialogue on our shared goal of a stable,secure and prosperous Pakistan,the State Department said.*
Mr.Sharif tried to draw the US into the Kashmir territorial dispute between Pakistan and India while he was in London,describing it as a nuclear flashpoint.The US rebuffed him,however,saying Kashmir was strictly a matter for the two South Asian nations to resolve among themselves.*
The US has quietly resumed military and economic aid to Pakistan in recent days,following a period of tension after the unauthorised US raid and killing of Osama bin Laden on Pakistani territory in May 2011,as well as a US drone strike that mistakenly killed two dozen Pakistani troops in November 2011.*
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