Obama to bring message of peace in the region during India visit: Cameron Munter

ISLAMABAD - US President Barack Obama would bring a message of peace in the region during his next week’s visit to India, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter has said.

Munter also said that the United States would support any effort by Pakistan and India to resolve the longstanding issue of Jammu and Kashmir, The Nation reported.

The US President would convey to India that Pakistan and India could find solution to the regional issues by working together, he added.

To another question, Munter appreciated the Pakistan government’s action in ordering an inquiry into reports of the alleged extra-judicial killings during the war on terror. He said that both countries shared common values in defending human rights, and efforts should be made to prevent mistakes.

About civil nuclear cooperation with Pakistan, he acknowledged that nuclear power could play an important role in bridging the gap between the demand and supply of energy in Pakistan. He also pointed out that the civil nuclear arrangement with India had taken many years to materialise, and added that the US was committed to remain engaged with Pakistan to help it overcome its energy problem.

Referring to the US-Pak bilateral relationship, the Ambassador stated in categorical terms that it was not transactional in nature but based on mutual respect, common values and how to work together.

Munter expressed the confidence that during his next visit to the US, President Asif Ali Zardari would take with him specific ideas for cooperation in economic, energy and military fields.

He said that the agenda of talks between the two presidents would focus on how to strengthen the strategic relationship further, and that the process would be carried forward when Obama would visit Pakistan next year. (ANI)