Washington:
In his first bilateral meeting with the Pakistan Prime Minister, President Obama has told Yusuf Raza Gilani and his high-level Pakistani delegation that Manmohan Singh is sincere in improving ties with Islamabad, but wants Pakistan to take action against those responsible for the Mumbai attacks. Obama threw his weight behind India's request, describing it as a pre-requisite for improving the security situation in the region. (
Read: Obama assures Manmohan of Indian access to David Headley)
The Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers are in Washington to attend a nuclear security summit that brings together the leaders of 47 countries; it's the largest gathering of world leaders organized by an American president since Franklin D Roosevelt convened the 1945 meeting that led to the creation of the United Nations.
Obama met Gilani barely two hours after he met Singh. And for the first time, he directly raised the issue of the lack of any convincing action by Pakistan against the men behind 26/11, India's worst-ever terror attack, and one that's linked directly to Pakistanis who are seen roaming freely and unchecked as they deliver new and public anti-India speeches. Obama did not specifically mention India's concerns about the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the terrorist group responsible for 26/11. (
Read: Act against 26/11 plotters, Obama tells Gilani)
"I am against terrorism and I am always of the opinion that those who were behind this should be brought to justice," said Gilani to NDTV after his meeting with Obama. When asked if some action could then be expected soon, Gilani emphasized, "Certainly."
Singh, who met Obama here last night, made it clear that the "future of South Asia would be determined by the manner in which terrorism is tackled". Singh emphasized that Pakistan needed to take "convincing action" against those responsible for Mumbai attacks, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters while briefing the meeting. "Unfortunately, there is no will on part of Pakistan to punish those responsible for terrorist attacks in Mumbai," Rao quoted the Prime Minister as telling Obama.
Last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Obama had issued a secret directive to his administration to intensify American diplomacy aimed at easing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan insists its ability to help the US effort in Afghanistan is impeded somewhat by its need to focus on securing its Eastern border with India.
What India takes away from this meeting is that Obama has sided with its opinion that justice against those behind the Mumbai attacks is a pre-requisite for any Indo-Pak talks.