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Showing posts from March, 2009

‘High-value targets’ in Pak to be attacked

President Barack Obama will not be sending US troops into Pakistan but says if America has a "high-value target" within its sights it will go after it after consulting with the government in Islamabad. Noting that his administration's recent review of policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan does not change its recognition of the Pakistani government as a sovereign one, Obama said in an interview on Sunday that the US has to hold Pakistan "much more accountable."

US counting on AfPak policy to divide Taliban

President Barack Obama's administration is counting on its AfPak policy to produce a rift in the Taliban resulting in those not ideologically wedded to the extremist group to break rank and join hands with the government in Kabul.

US to steer clear of Kashmir issue

The United States remains supportive of efforts made by India and Pakistan to reduce tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals but, mindful of India’s sensitivities on the matter, has not offered to help resolve the Kashmir issue, a senior State Department official said on Friday.

US offers Pak cheque on terror

US President Barack Obama on Friday unveiled his plan for winning the war on terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan describing Al Qaida and its extremist allies as a “cancer that risks killing Pakistan from within” and noting that the future of Afghanistan is “inextricably linked” to that of Pakistan. “If there is a major attack on an Asian, European, or African city, it is likely to have ties with Al Qaida’s leadership in Pakistan,” Obama said, adding: “The safety of people around the world is at stake”.

ISI ‘helping’ Taliban spread terror in Afghanistan

Operatives in Pakistan's military intelligence agency are helping the Taliban continue its campaign of terror in Afghanistan, and other terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Toiba, which India blames for the Mumbai attacks, according to US government officials.

Manmohan to meet Obama On April 2

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be part of an exclusive group of world leaders that will hold bilateral meetings with President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the Group of 20 meeting in London next month. The meeting between Manmohan Singh and Obama will take place on April 2.

US tilt towards Taliban irks Delhi

While New Delhi doesn’t see a distinction between so-called good and bad Taliban, Washington is committed to reaching out to moderate members of the Taliban, a US official said, reiterating a position that has become the cause of much concern in India.

War on terror must not be segmented: India to US

The United States must not give up on Afghanistan and needs to confront the challenges posed by the situation in Pakistan, a senior Indian official advised as President Barack Obama's administration wraps up its inter-agency review of US policy towards Pakistan and Afghanistan. The results of this review are expected this week.

Obama offers new start with Iran

President Barak Obama has offered Iran a "new beginning" in an unprecedented taped message on the occasion of the Iranian new year. In the message, delivered at midnight on Friday, Obama used the occasion of Nowruz to speak directly to the people and leaders of Iran.

Covert operations in Pak to be expanded

The US is considering expanding covert operations in Pakistan beyond the tribal border regions to Baluchistan, where the Taliban has established a firm foothold, according to a New York Times report.

‘Pakistanis deserve credit...’

Relieved that feuding Pakistani leaders had averted a political crisis, the Obama administration on Monday expressed satisfaction with the outcome of what a State Department spokesman described as a "very difficult weekend."

To Ride The Job Bronco

The disquieting clamour against outsourcing prescribes measures US firms cannot afford to adopt.

What's On The Buffett

India-born Ajit Jain. Omaha's Oracle is dropping' nuff hints on a likely successor.

Liquor baron wins over Gandhi

In an ironical twist, it was left to liquor baron Vijay Mallya to bid over Rs. 10 crore ($2 million), which includes the commission to be paid to the auction house in New York, to buy the lot of personal belongings of Mahatma Gandhi that were put on auction by Los Angeles-based filmmaker and pacifist, James Otis.

M.K., The Spring Collection

A Gandhi memorabilia auction meets official torpor, private concern.