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Indian PM Singh begins US visit Indian PM Singh begins US visit
(about 3 hours later)
Indian PM Manmohan Singh has begun a visit to the US for talks expected to be dominated by Afghanistan, climate change and nuclear energy cooperation.Indian PM Manmohan Singh has begun a visit to the US for talks expected to be dominated by Afghanistan, climate change and nuclear energy cooperation.
Mr Singh has said that a victory for the Taliban in Afghanistan would be a catastrophe for South and Central Asia.Mr Singh has said that a victory for the Taliban in Afghanistan would be a catastrophe for South and Central Asia.
He said he was concerned about the spread of Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorism to Pakistan's heartlands.He said he was concerned about the spread of Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorism to Pakistan's heartlands.
India hopes the summit talks will see the finalisation of the civilian nuclear deal with the US.India hopes the summit talks will see the finalisation of the civilian nuclear deal with the US.
During his visit - the first official state visit of the Obama administration - Mr Singh will hold meetings with business leaders and foreign policy scholars.During his visit - the first official state visit of the Obama administration - Mr Singh will hold meetings with business leaders and foreign policy scholars.
He will meet US President Barack Obama on Tuesday.He will meet US President Barack Obama on Tuesday.
"It is very important that both the US and the global community stay engaged in Afghanistan," Mr Singh told The Washington Post newspaper and Newsweek magazine ahead of his arrival Sunday."It is very important that both the US and the global community stay engaged in Afghanistan," Mr Singh told The Washington Post newspaper and Newsweek magazine ahead of his arrival Sunday.
Mr Singh urged the Obama administration to pressure Pakistan to crack down on Islamic militants in the country.Mr Singh urged the Obama administration to pressure Pakistan to crack down on Islamic militants in the country.
'Nothing to fear''Nothing to fear'
"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," Mr Singh said in the interview."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," Mr 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."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.
Mr Singh expressed doubts over whether Pakistan and the US had similar objectives in Afghanistan.Mr Singh expressed doubts over whether Pakistan and the US had similar objectives in Afghanistan.
"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."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.
In a separate interview, Mr Singh also said that he hoped that the Obama administration would complete the finalisation of the deal on nuclear energy which Delhi struck with former President Bush.In a separate interview, Mr Singh also said that he hoped that the Obama administration would complete the finalisation of the deal on nuclear energy which Delhi struck with former President Bush.
India and the US have been forging closer defence and economic ties recently.India and the US have been forging closer defence and economic ties recently.
Last year they signed a civilian nuclear co-operation accord to end 34 years of US sanctions.Last year they signed a civilian nuclear co-operation accord to end 34 years of US sanctions.
India gains access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel in return for inspections of its civilian, but not military, nuclear facilities.India gains access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel in return for inspections of its civilian, but not military, nuclear facilities.