Telephone call: Obama takes Nawaz into confidence on India tour
US President Barack Obama, who plans to visit India in January, next year, called up Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday evening to take him into confidence on his upcoming trip. “The American president also expressed the desire to take US-Pakistan relations one step beyond the current level,” according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister House.
President Obama said that his administration wished for peaceful and cordial relations between Pakistan and India. In this context, he said, Premier Nawaz’s visit to India in May was a positive step. Nawaz had travelled to New Delhi to attend the inauguration of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s landslide victory in the elections.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Premier Nawaz referred to his visit to India, which was aimed at taking Pakistan-India relations forward. Subsequent unfortunate steps on India’s part, including cancellation of the foreign secretary-level talks and the unprovoked firing across the LoC/Working Boundary resulting in civilian casualties, indicated that India was averse to normalisation of relations with Pakistan, he added.
“Thus, while we remain open to the resumption of bilateral dialogue, the onus is on India to create a conducive environment in this regard. President Obama expressed his understanding for our position,” he added. The prime minister urged President Obama to take up the cause of Kashmir with the Indian leadership as its early resolution would bring enduring peace, stability and economic cooperation to Asia.
The Foreign Office statement stated that “during their exchanges marked by cordiality, Pakistan-US bilateral relations and the evolving situation in the region were discussed.”
The prime minister recalled his warm and friendly meeting with President Obama in Washington in October last year and their subsequent interaction at the nuclear security summit in The Hague in March this year. He expressed satisfaction at the direction of Pakistan-US relations which were on an upward trajectory since his government came to power last year.
President Obama noted that Pakistan-US relations were strong and robust. He was pleased to see that the Pakistan government had determined the right economic priorities and was successfully overcoming the challenges.
Recalling an invitation extended in Washington, the prime minister conveyed the expectation of the people of Pakistan to welcome President Obama to Pakistan sometime in the future. The US leader assured Nawaz that he would undertake a visit to Pakistan at an early date as soon as the situation normalised in the country.
Discussing the regional situation, the prime minister referred to the improvement of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations as were manifest in President Ashraf Ghani’s recent visit to Islamabad. The US president appreciated the prime minister’s efforts in this regard and called it pivotal for peace and stability in the region.
The two leaders agreed to stay engaged to further strengthen Pakistan-US relations in their common desire to promote peace and prosperity in South Asia.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2014.
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@Hamid: It is unfair to compare India and Pakistan. While India is a major world power with 1.2 billion people, Pakistan is an averaged sized developing country beset with many serious religious and economic problems.
@Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad: I hope you do invite him over, he was a KGB elite who has a long memory of what happened in Afghanistan. Times do change though and I wish Pakistani's all the best in your endeavour to be a "super power".
@Bawandar: Correct. Nor did they discuss Indian visit or Kashmir as claimed by Pakistan FO.
Nowhere the White House note http://goo.gl/YM6d6g says he shall visit Pakistan later
<<Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan
President Obama spoke by phone today with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan to discuss efforts by the United States and Pakistan to advance shared interests in a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan and region. President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed the valued relationship between the two countries and the importance of the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue as a framework for guiding the bilateral relationship. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to combat terrorism and extremism and to promote peace and stability in the region. The President welcomed Pakistan’s improved relations with the new Afghan government>>
@Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad: You can call all you want but wll Mr. Puting come ? LOL doubt it.
@Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad: PAK must understand realities of the world. it runs around strength of nation, its leaders International Image and future other see in involving you. By having PAK as friend, what others will benefit? first, separate religion from state and provide good governance, simple.
@Hamid: 15th August speech is from Red Fort. On 26th January there is a parade and it is not at the Red Fort. Of course I agree that the foreign policy of Modi overnment has been quite assertive.
We, the people of India and Pakistan belittle ourselves when one is irritated and other gloats when some so called "First world" leader visits us. Time to grow up and stand on our own.
Why are most of us so offended by the notion that Mr. Obama is visiting India on their republic day.
India has spent the last two decades consolidating it's position as a world economic power whereas we have spent the last 2 decades shooting ourselves in the foot by supporting sectarianism, religious and ethnic hatred, electing so called feudal Democrats (no I am not a PTI supporter) to power and fighting with our neighbors.
So full Kudos to the Indian nation for their achievements. Maybe if we put emotion to one side and started thinking objectively we could learn a thing or two from our neighbours.
@Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad: "it's high time Pakistan invited H.E. Vladimir Putin, President Russian federation in December. " Putin and his Russian delegation in December are coming to India. He will be non available. Putin and modi plan to take indo russian ties to next level and deepen in. Joint colaboration and joint venture in defence,nuclear energy space, infrastructure, agriculture, R&d, business and trade. India america ties are purely business. We will never cuddle them and will always keep them at arms length. You need not worry and can have them. But india Russia ties are ancient based on friendship and trade both india and Russia will never let go off their relation for America. India and Russia support each other on international politics.
@AVMPolpot: Wow, so many speculative remarks one after the other.. Why the bee in your bonnet if Obama calls NS to share world views??????
Soon Obama will clear the situation to tell truth. This is the smart move of PM office to console Pakistani people (As Obama is going to be the chief guest of upcoming republic day celebration in New Delhi). Sometimes ago it was spread that NS has denied to use Indian car in SAARC summit. But soon they said that they even were not asked to use car by Indians.
@Hamid: And why should any one get a sadistic pleasure out of this.
Last year it was Japanese PM, who was chief guest for the Republic day Parade in New Delhi. This year it will be Obama, great diplomatic coup from India. So, Obama will sit Red fort and will be the Guest of honour of the parade.
There was no reason to call NS. Obama was itching to say "Go Nawaz Go" over the phone
It is high time that Pakistan invited H.E. Vladimir Putin, President Russian Federation, on Quaid-e-Azam day, on 25 December, which will be exactly a month ahead of the Obama's visit to India on 26 January.
@harkol: " Situation Normal? I wonder what that means!" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ That I y also wonder, but its now certified by the White House that Pakistan is presentl abnormal.
@harkol: "Situation Normal? I wonder what that means!" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Oh I changed my mind, it would be normal when Sartaz Aziz would comprehend why Pakistan must 'antagonize' all terrorists.
@harkol: " Situation Normal? I wonder what that means!" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Oh thats when India has handed over all of Kashmir to Pakistan.
@Shane: " how many times will you call xii" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ xii times:)
@Blithe: Pakistan speaks to Hurriyat Conference etc before visting India ... now Obama speaks to Nawaz before visiting India... so your so-called "0-2" can have other connotations as well! I wonder if now India will do likewise with this visit as they did with the Foreign-Secretary level talks :-)
White house does not say anything about Obama's wish to visit Pakistan in appropriate time, though he would have visited India 2 times, without going to Pakistan.
Below Exact copied from the white house website about the phone call.. the following statements does not talk about Kashmir. Leave Kashmir, even India or about the Indian trip has been got mention in the official communication from white house. PM Office of Pakistan has included Kashmir just to pacify general public... I believe...
Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan
President Obama spoke by phone today with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan to discuss efforts by the United States and Pakistan to advance shared interests in a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan and region. President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed the valued relationship between the two countries and the importance of the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue as a framework for guiding the bilateral relationship. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to combat terrorism and extremism and to promote peace and stability in the region. The President welcomed Pakistan’s improved relations with the new Afghan government.
Almost all leaders have visited India after Modi became PM of India. Australian PM Abbott, All SAARC head of states, Chinese president Xi Jinping etc.. etc... with Russian, American and German head of states scheduled in next few months. Where as it was Nawaz sharief who has visited other countries to meet the head of states. There is no reciprocal gesture from other major head of states.
Basically, Obama is visiting 2nd time to India in 4 years, only the 1st american president to do so and 1 in each term. He has never visited Pakistan. To pacify Pakistan he has called up. Indians and Americans will increase co-operation, sign agreements and build personal relationships, where Pakistan will be happy with a one phone call.
Seems like Pakistan is becoming desperate to talk to India. Since the time India ignored Pakistan, world also seems to have lost Interest in it.
The world including India is waiting "as soon as the situation normalised in the country" Pakistan has a great chance now under the present democratic set up to be a country that is part of the emerging world by putting all institutions at there proper places and Civil leaders to take total charge.
This was a courtesy call made by the US to rub some salt on nawaz's wounds. The US department statement is very different from one printed by Tribune.
@AVMPolpot: how many times will you call xii
Obama is coming as the chief guest to attend the Republic Day parade on 26Jan , he will also hold talks on matters that concern the two countries . He will also say that relations between India & Pakistan should be peaceful , now nobody is in disagreement with that , but there can only be peace between the two countries if they want it no body else , the UN /USA, can thrust it on us . The situation today is that there are very few people in India who trust Pakistan's WORD . You have to build that trust and show a willingness to live in peace else we have lived as hostile neighbors for the last 66yrs we can continue to live that till the cows come home .The European countries were at war with each other for thousands of years fought two world wars and finally came to there senses to form the EU i dont know how long we will take to come to our senses .
Situation Normal? I wonder what that means!
Perhaps that is when international cricket teams start touring Pakistan again?
One can guess what Obama told Pak. PM. “Mr. Sharif as you know in 2022 Chinese growth rate will surpass American growth rate, therefore we have to act fast against china. We’re facing problems, we lost 4-5 trillion dollars in Afghanistan because we had the support of Pakistani government but we fail to gain the support of Pakistani people. Now experts are telling us that the new cold war in South China Sea will cost different parties 15-20 trillion dollars. In US-Soviet cold war, we had very favorable atmosphere, we had the support of both Pakistani government and Pakistani people. Then we easily bore the burden of 6 trillion dollar but now we need new friends like India so that we can share 15-20 trillion dollars. You know our friends in South China Sea or East China Sea are preparing themselves for new cold war as Japan has defense budget of 59 billion dollar, South Korea has defense budget of 30 billion dollar, Taiwan’s defense budget is around 10 billion dollar and our new friend Vietnam's defense budget is around 7 billion dollar. Now we need more reliable friends like India, which despite the biggest poverty of the world has defense budget around 46 billion dollar and with the help of our Afghan friends we will bear 15-20 trillion dollar burden very easily. We will give different Afghan tribes 30-40 billion dollar annually for white gold and then we will market all their white gold and with profit our friends, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and India will place orders for arms they need for new cold war. Mr. Sharif our relations with India will not damage our relationship with Pakistan, we need the support of Pakistani government.
No going to post a direct link, but if you go to the White House Press Office website, you will see a statement detailing Obama's phone call with Sharif.
Nothing about Kashmir, for one thing.
The two statement is more significant in these article as it was presented by PM office of Pakistan (1) President Obama expressed his understanding for our position (2) he would undertake a visit to Pakistan at an early date as soon as the situation normalised in the country. Any thing i need to say if you go through statemnt it shows where is Pakistan now and sure he will not discuss Kashmir with Indian leadership
It is funny to note that Pakistan is unnecessarily thrusting itself into someone else's business. Please learn to grow up....take pride as a nation!
This article is trying to prove as if Obama took permission from Nawaz if he's ok, and then decided to go to india. Truth is america always went Pakistan after india as per their request to be compared on same level with india. But that stopped since manmohan's regime. Obama came to india. But never stopped over to Pakistan or after that in past five years. Meanwhile this will be fourth personal meeting of modi with Obama. In America, ASEAN,g-20 and now in January since Manmohan meet.
Was this "to take NS into confidence" or was it "to console NS" for visiting India and ignoring Pakistan?
However, as someone commented elsewhere, it is a diplomatic masterstroke by Modi. Earlier, India had invited notable dignitaries from other countries as well. In 2003 President Mohammed Khatami of Iran, in 2006 King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, in 2007 President Vladimir Putin of Russia, in 2008 President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, in 2014 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and now in 2015 President Barack Obama of USA.
On two occasions India had also invited dignitaries from Pakistan also. In 1955 Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad and in 1965 Rana Abdul Hamid.
Here is the list of dignitaries from other countries that India has invited in the past. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofstatevisitsto_India
Could not find a similar list for Pakistan. Google search does not bring any. May be there not a similar tradition in Pakistan.
A desperate attempt by FO to impress the gullible public with a statement to the effect that the phone call from Obama is more important to Pakistan than his visit to India. And it can not hide the contradictions in its policy. A few days ago the FO said Pakistan would not ask India to start a dialogue after it unilaterally cancelled foreign secretary-level talks. Now it says "While we remain open to the resumption of bilateral dialogue, .........".
When the Muslim invaders took over our lands, we did not run and complain to all and sundry. Your time came and went. It is time to deal with your lot. Please vacate occupied lands and go back to your ancestral lands.
If an International Cricket team cannot visit Pakistan due to security situation then how can a US President “undertake a visit to Pakistan at an early date, as soon as the situation normalised in the country?” On the other hand, the January 26 Republic Day parade is the most open and spraulling annual event of India and a US President for the first time will be the Chief Guest. Nevermind, that Pakistani leaders have also been the Chief Guests at the Indian Republic Day Parade.
Relationships are temporary and interests are permanent. Both Obama and Modi seem to understand the interests of their nations. Great and positive news for both the countries.
The man from chicago is the old model and most probably will be remembered for the down grade of not only American power but its prestige in the world as well. The Sharifs should stay clear of him to assure chinese and russians support for their country.
Rex Minor
" Telephone call: Obama takes Nawaz into confidence on India tour" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ He shared the dates of the trip in confidence!
If China is 'Iron Brother' then XII must visit Pakistan at the same time as Obama is in India +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tit for Tat:).
Putin in Nov-Dec, Obama in Jan +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ who is completely isolated?
" PM asks US president to take up Kashmir issue with Indian leadership." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I thought UN was assigned that task:)!
The Foreign Office statement stated that “during their exchanges marked by cordiality, Pakistan-US bilateral relations and the evolving situation in the region were discussed.” +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And now wait for the inevitable FO clarification cum rectification cum retraction. Hint to FO: may be ' historical context' may not be appropriate this time.
Since when did the US President start taking orders from PM Pakistan to take up Kashmir issue?
Best diplomacy under the circumstances .
The biolentbcivil disobedience movement has caused huge damage to our progress and diplomatic space . It's time to put both IK and TuQ for attaching policemen and state buildings .
The pictures says it all..... lol
" The prime minister recalled his warm and friendly meeting with President Obama in Washington in October last year" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The PM has his cheat sheets to support:).
The Ultimate Snub to the Frontline Ally in the WOT +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 0-2. Score of US Pres Obama's Visits to Pakistan and India. Maybe like cricket matches NS should meet Obama (and XII) in Dubai.
Wow. US took permission of Kind Nawaz sharif to apply for Indian trip.
The US leader assured Nawaz that he would undertake a visit to Pakistan at an early date as soon as the situation normalised in the country. . He's not the only one waiting for the situation to be "normalised" - and were not referring to a politician sitting on a boxcar outside Parliament.
Out of all the photos of Nawaz Sharif & Obama tribune picks the one that gives a negative tilt towards Nawaz. Only on tribune.