Indian PM tones down hopes for Pakistani premier talks

28 Sep AFP

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh toned down expectations for his planned meeting with Premier Nawaz Sharif at the UN, saying Pakistan remained an “epicenter of terrorism.” Singh, making what will likely be a farewell visit to the White House after a decade in power, told President Barack Obama that India still faced “difficulties” because of the activities of its neighbor and bitter rival.

Singh and Sharif are expected to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York despite the tensions. A diplomat said the talks were expected Sunday morning.

“I look forward to the meeting with (Prime Minister) Nawaz Sharif even though the expectations have to be toned down given the terror arm which is still active in our subcontinent,” Sharif told reporters in the Oval Office.

Singh told Obama that India was facing difficulties because the “epicenter of terrorist activity remains focused in Pakistan.” India has blamed militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and even elements of the Pakistani state for attacks on its soil, including the assault in a luxury hotel on Mumbai nearly five years ago which killed 166 people.

Deadly skirmishes across the de facto border in divided Kashmir meanwhile have jeopardised the atmospherics for the meeting in New York, which would come months after peace talks again stalled between the two neighbours.

Since winning an election in May, Sharif has been vocal in his desire for better relations with India, but the recent flare-ups have overshadowed the prospects.

Earlier, Sharif warmed up for the expected talks by saying that a nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan was a huge waste of money.

“Our two countries have wasted massive resources in an arms race,” Sharif said in his speech to the General Assembly.

“We could have used those resources for the economic well-being of our people,” he added.

Singh's visit to the White House had a valedictory tone, as he is not expected to lead his Congress Party into elections next year, with his political fortunes battered by a slowing economy and corruption claims after two five-year terms.