Safe havens for terrorists within Pakistan borders unacceptable: President Obama

NEW DELHI - The United States President Barack Obama on Monday said the terrorists’ safe havens within Pakistan borders were unacceptable, asserting that the United States will insist that terrorists behind 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks be brought to justice.

“We will continue to insist to Pakistan’s leaders that terrorist safe-havens within their borders are unacceptable, and that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks be brought to justice,” the U.S. President said here today.

Addressing the Joint Session of the Parliament here on Monday, President Obama said: ” As we work to advance our shared prosperity, we can partner to address a second priority - our shared security.”

Recalling his meeting with the families of Mumbai terror attacks, President Obama termed the incident “barbaric” and paid tribute to the victims of 9/11 and 26/11 attacks, He said: ” In Mumbai, I met with the courageous families and survivors of that barbaric attack. And here in this Parliament, which was itself targeted because of the democracy it represents, we honor the memory of all those who have been taken from us, including American citizens on 26/11 and Indian citizens on 9/11.”

The U.S. President further said the relationship between India and the United States was bound by shared values, adding that the two nations were partners in meeting the challenges.

“This is the bond we share. It’s why we insist that nothing ever justifies the slaughter of innocent men, women and children. It’s why we’re working together, more closely than ever, to prevent terrorist attacks and to deepen our cooperation even further. And it’s why, as strong and resilient societies, we refuse to live in fear, we will not sacrifice the values and rule of law that defines us, and we will never waver in the defense of our people,” he said.e said nuclear terrorism and proliferation were on top of the agenda of the United States.

Talking about America’s fight against the terrorist outfits Al Qaida and its affiliates, Afghanistan, he remarked that major development assistance from India has improved the lives of the Afghan people.

President Obama said: ” We’re making progress in our mission to break the Taliban’s momentum and to train Afghan forces so they can take the lead for their security.”

President Obama said that American forces will begin the transition to Afghan responsibility next summer, but made it clear that America’s commitment to the Afghan people will endure. He said: “The United States will not abandon the people of Afghanistan - or the region - to the violent extremists who threaten us all.”

Talking about U.S.’s two-pronged strategy in meeting the challenge posed by Al Qaeda and Taliban, Obama said: “Our strategy to disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaida and its affiliates has to succeed on both sides of the border. That is why we have worked with the Pakistani government to address the threat of terrorist networks in the border region.”

He said that the Pakistani government increasingly recognises that these networks are a threat to the Pakistani people, “who have suffered greatly at the hands of violent extremists.”

“We must also recognise that all of us have and interest in both an Afghanistan and a Pakistan that is stable, prosperous and democratic - and none more so than India,” he added.

On the issues between India and Pakistan, Obama clearly stated that it was for both the countries to resolve them and the U.S would welcome any dialogue held between the two neighbours. He said: “In pursuit of regional security, we will continue to welcome dialogue between India and Pakistan, even as we recognize that disputes between your two countries can only be resolved by the people of your two countries.”

Obama wanted the United States and India together to pursue the goal of securing the world’s vulnerable nuclear materials. He said: “We can make it clear that even as every nation has the right to peaceful nuclear energy, every nation must also meet its international obligations - and that includes the Islamic Republic of Iran. And together, we can pursue a vision that Indian leaders have espoused since Independence - a world without nuclear weapons.”

President Obama received a standing ovation in the Parliament House as he concluded his address with the remark “Jai Hind”. (ANI)