PHOTO: REUTERS
Responding to a question whether the White House wrestled with diplomatic implications of Obama not visiting Pakistan and only India, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said, "Frankly, that's in the interest of all the three countries."
Obama is the second US President after Jimmy Carter to have not visited Pakistan during their India trip.
"Considering the sensitivity of the issue, he had called Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to inform him about his decision to travel to India. The president was not able to visit Pakistan in 2011, as was originally planned, given significant bilateral tensions that year, the Bin Laden raid, and a number of other incidents that took place," Rhodes said, according to IBN Live.
"I think both countries have acknowledged that. But we've moved on. Recently, Secretary (of State) John Kerry was able to visit Pakistan. He was able to visit Peshawar, where the horrific terrorist attack took place. We are able to have a strategic dialogue with the Pakistanis," he added.
RELATED POST: US will continue to support Pakistan in combating terrorism: Kerry tells Nawaz
Obama did not visit Pakistan during his first trip to India in November 2010 either. Carter had visited India in January 1978 but skipped Pakistan allegedly because of unstable political situations there after the Ziaul Haq-led military coup overthrew the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
All other US presidents, including, Dwight D Eisenhower in 1959, Richard Nixon in 1969, Bill Clinton in 2000 and George W Bush in March 2006, visited Pakistan.
Further, the senior official said the US' relationship with India and Pakistan are not at the expense of each other.
"It's important that we make clear, and the president did last time when he went to India, that we don't view these relationships as taking place at the expense of the other. That we can have a good relationship with India and we can have a good relationship with Pakistan,"
"We believe that that relationship (with Pakistan) is on the uptick. It is as good as it has been in years. So we feel confident about our high-level engagement," Rhodes said.
In an apparent reference to India's response to a Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar, he said, "I think terrorism is an issue that can unite people who have faced traditional divides. We saw that in the aftermath of the horrific attack in Peshawar, where India was very quick to issue a statement of condolence and reach out to the Pakistani people.”
Earlier, the US urged Pakistan and India to pursue a peace dialogue to resolve their bilateral issues and the recent spate of cross border violations.
RELATED POST: For regional peace: Pakistan urges US to persuade India on talks
COMMENTS (76)
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@ABC: you still get and will continue to depend on bulk funding from US whichever form it is- this expensing or that grant.
@ABC: You think Modi led India will be pet of USA? have you seen the number of agreements signed by India when Putin visited last month. This is about a mutually beneficial relationship. Pakistan sold itself to the highest bidder in 50's which was USA. India thanks to its huge markets doesn't need to do so. We are not going to be subservient to US. Modi forced USA to budge its stance on WTO agreement over food subsidy recently. Thats standing up to the WEST.
@LS: Mr.LS
I thank you for comments. The seventh fleet was moved to bay of bengal to rescue american citizens in case the need arose. Do you think Indira Gandhi was scared---hardly.It was geopolitics. The end was achieved. There are other sources available to support my contention. USA froze miliatry assistance to pakistan in 1965 and let the "Pakkis feel the heat" It was not india which felt the heat. It's main weapon supplier was Soviet Union. I assure you i lived the events in 1965. History is always written by the victors----don't you agree? In 1971 India had the right person at the top, in pakistan there was a wrong one and hence the disaster. In wars the truth is always the first casualty!
I don't know why so much fuss on this issue. What will change if Obama would have visited Pakistan? Pakistan has nothing to offer US after US troops withdrawal from Kabul and US has nothing to offer Pakistan who has given Gwader to China and doing defence contracts with russia hence helping opposite side in global power play after Ukraine crisis. Pakistan and US have love-hate relationship which will continue they will hug and ignore each other simultaneously.
@Waleed Khan: You seriously think US would be worried if Nawaz Sharief does not meet Obama? It is NS who Pakistan today is viewed as a nation harboring terrorists and all talks with Pakistan from US side only relate to terrorism. John Kerry came to Pakistan to talk about terrorism. Pakistan is viewed today as a dangerous nation that not only has nuclear assets but terrorists who may at some point of time have access to those assets. Terrorism alone is a great concern but put that with nuclear weapons, the concern gets magnified many times over.
@assad - You don;t need a pat from US but you sure do need our $s huh ?
@Waleed Khan: That is very lofty thinking. Can Pakistan afford to do that?
@Haider: Hmmm, and just what kind of "Ally" is as two faced as PAKISTAN??? Supporting your beloved Good Taliban/Haqqani "freedom fighters" in Afghanistan at the expense of just how many American/ISAF/Afghan deaths!
@Abdullah: as per poll results most of the Pakistanis do not like you and US government
Pakistanis only like Zakat and free weapons from USA
@Char Latan: Do they have enough Jet Fuel or is there a line for that too?
I have never seen Pakistan issuing condolences any later than India …The incident happened in Pakistan we dealt with it yet America is persistent saying that well done India you reached out to Pakistan …..What a shame …From cartoons to Strategic partnership ….We are targeted ..The west who is concerned about the feeling of its dog is not concerned about the hearts of 1.5 billion people …There is something wrong people we need to realize before its too late
It is rather strange to see Obama interacting very rarely with Pakistani counterparts during the last 8 years. The fact that Pakistan is an ally has not been appreciated enough by Mr. Obama. This must also be considered as a diplomatic failure for Pakistan which has not been able to convince the American officials that if Obama would not travel to Pakistan, it would not be taken as a normal diplomatic move by the Pakistanis. Perhaps Obama never believed in winning the hearts and minds of the people despite his tall claims. The intent to pacify India is only to counter rising China which in itself is a futile exercise.
Who is Obama. He is a small president of a small country in a small planet. The real beneficiary is Almighty Allah. What difference does it make if he visit Pakistan or not.
I don't know much about politics, like our leaders do, but as a common citizen of Pakistan, I really don't care if Obama visits Pakistan or not, or visits India or not, what really matters, are the interests and goals of Pakistan.
@Gp65:
"Of and Russia does not have any complaints against Ondia.mthe Ondia-Russia partnership is synergistic."
If I am correct this is what you meant, "Russia does not have any complaints against India. The India-Russia partnership is synergistic."
You are rather confirming what I said in my previous comment. I don't know if it is sorcery, or mesmerism, or craftsmanship, or whatever, but the fact remains that no one comes even close to Indian Hindus in the art of deception. They are the masters of the trade without doubt and parallel. Only they can milk others -- even rivals, e.g. Russia and USA, at the same time -- and give nothing in return, and the beauty is no one even complains. It is a common knowledge that Hindu Banyas know only "taking", "giving" is not in their genes. Now, we will see how shrewd is the omniscient Uncle Sam and what does he get in return while giving everything what the masters of deceit want from him. Prove me wrong and tell us what India will give USA in return? Will India be US partner in any future conflict with China, as Pakistan was against USSR?
"Well I am lad our leadership does to sell itself to foreigners."
I am unable to decode it. Were you high or smoking some fine stuff?
Now Obama will discuss Pakistan's interests with India.When Pakistani leadership will differentiate between the friend and enemy?How shameless!!!!!
Now Obama will discuss Pakistan's interests with India.How shameless!!!!!
@AVMPolpot: Obama's decision to visit India is in fact a move to make India purchase US equipments which I am sure Mr Modi will do in order to please the US leadership. Polpot, recommend if you agree with my point.
Political instability and safety and security are just eye wash. US can ensure watertight arrangements for her diplomats leave aside president. The actual reason is our incompetency (we have lagged far behind India in economic field, just compare the positions held by Indians and Pakistanis in US), Just compare the value of trade of Pakistan and India, political failures (once we had Sahib zada Yakoob Khan as our ambassador in Capitol Hill and as foreign minister who was ranked by New York Times as world's ablest diplomat, during PPP's last tenure we had Hina Rabbani Khar on the FM slot and was ranked as world's most gorgeous politician, thanks to the branded stuff she carried). Than off course we are Muslim and India enjoy huge edge over us. But had we matched India on economic table we would have compensated for religion. Stop cribbing, stop looking for lame excuses and blame game, bring your house in order, look India and US in the eye (thou that require to be of same height and stature) and US will herself request for visit. Even Bush's visit was over shadowed by Afghan situation, Clinton visited India for 5 days discussing agreements and came to Pakistan for 5 hours giving hard dictation. We are day dreamers and are only doomed. Only and only we as individual, as group, as company and as a country can change.
Lets face the reality...howsoever painful it may be ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Obama's decision to visit India, not Pakistan, is a public snub to Pakistan. Pls recommend if u agree.
@Bewildered: " Not everyone, in fact not anyone, sells so cheaply as Pakistani leaders do." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ True.The Abbottabad Report mentions an American saying that he could " buy" a Pakistani for as low as a meal.( published in ET).
@Abdullah: Lol! "Too friendly" Don is a sign of expectations & so danger. We know our buddy, but you don't, I bet. Be careful who you dance with, they say! We have been dancing together for seventy years and see what we got, lol! Why? May I ask; You are using IOK president name, I wonder! It's been a while since I saw that name here, lol! So what did you get from him, or should I say;... He did?
@ABC: " Now you can change your name proudly to AVM-US-PET" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ i hv followed ur suggestion...almost.
@Waleed Khan "Well next time Nawaz Sharif goes to NYC for UNGA he should not bother meeting with Obama." That has happened too though in a perverse way. Obama refused to meet our PM in NY last Sep at the UNGA meeting. So the PM chose the same hotel as Obama did, yet the meeting did not take place.
To placate Pakistan, Air Force should overfly Pakistan for a few minutes. That would be nice.
Obama won't meet with Netanyahu either .. perhaps the "close" allies that have been creating problems for USA aren't going to get the photo ops their leaders want?
@Abdullah:
P.S.
Oh, by the way forgot to add, keep sending us money!
@M. Ahmed: Pakistani Satyas and Nandelas are either in Madarssas or in rallies of Hafiz Sayed.
@Bewildered: Well I am lad our leadership does to sell itself to foreigners. By the way you are aware that India has almost as many muslims as Pakistan and does not have ony Hindus.i amsurorised your sweeping comment about Hindus without any supporting facts was accepted by the moderator. It certainkyis against their comment guidelines.
Of and Russia does not have any complaints against Ondia.mthe Ondia-Russia partnership is synergistic.
@Sensibile: Which 1.5 billion people are you referring to? Those of South Asia together. Perhaps China? Or those that share a certain faith but have nothing else in common? Just wondering. (The war was declared on the US - and other democracies - by a certain group of fanatics subscribing to a certain version of a religion. When the continuing war waged in the name of that religion stops, then US and other will start respecting the feelings. You may wish to look at all the other countries not "officially" visited by President Obama and other Western leaders. There might be a consistent pattern. Perhaps even a clue.)
@M. Ahmed: I don't think anything can be taken from the success of Indians in corporate America. However there are very many Pakistanis working in the same space as well. The challenge is to develop a network that allows Pakistanis to penetrate the higher echelons of corporate America. Thus far it has been elusive and it is not because Pakistanis are not going to top tier business schools or lack the know how. It really has to do with the network in place to help move fellow Pakistanis up the corporate ladder. There are a bunch of Pakistanis at the senior director/VP level roles in various US corporations, however looking at the CXO suite, you won't find many. Whereas Indians tend to bring other Indians in these roles. Looking at large corporations like IBM, Microsoft, Cisco, GE, Coke and many others you will find this to be the case. The other aspect is that the Indians have been at this for way longer too and indeed did focus on education. The other aspect is simply a matter of population. Indians outnumber Pakistanis 4-1 in the US. What I would say is that Pakistanis need to emulate the Indian success in corporate America. However it will take time but I think the road work is being put in place. Whether that translates to a US presidential visit to Pakistan is not even the point. What our relations need to be evolve to is one based on the value of Pakistani ingenuity and economic progress. Our relation has to change from being a security focused one to one which is based on social and economic well being of both countries (Pakistan and the US).
@oBSERVER: There was no logic. He was just trying to be polite while acknowledging that they had declined Pakistan's invitation.
@Arshad: "If really America wants to play a role that it professes the least it can do is to persuade India to have a settlement of Kashmir issue on the basis of UN verdict. Kashmir is the litmus test of America’s good intention towards Pakistan. This will be in US interest also as it will carry the support of both the countries"
First of all my friend, there is NO UN verdict. UN resolution first step was Pakistan should wothdraw its army from what it calls AJK. It never did hence the resolution could never be implemented.
Secondly, which two natuons do you think would support US interference in Kashmir? US-Pakistan? Why do you think US would support it. Also EVEN IF us does want oget involved, as it tried to in 2009 by denoting a Kashmir envoy, what leverage does it have tompressurise India to do its bidding?
@Sensibile: "I have never seen Pakistan issuing condolences any later than india"
Forget later - Pakistan did not condemn the Paris event at all.
@M. Ahmed: Besides Stya and Amit there is -Indra Nooyi - CEO of Pepsico -Ajay Banga - CEO of Mastercard. -Shantanu Narayan- CEO of Adobe system Harish Manwani - COO of Unilever - Vikram Pandit - who until recently was CEO of Citigroup.
Two governors of US are of Indian origin and so is the Congress representative from Hawaii - Tulsi Gabbard.
@sharabi: Sovereign is a relative term. When China beat you guys into submission in 1962, what did you do? You ran to the West and USSR to arm yourselves against the Chinese. When you have issues with Pakistan, what do you do? You run to the Americans to pressure Pakistan. So your sovereignty and ours have different dimensions. We maintain our sovereignty to the extent possible, you do the same. Neither of the countries are completely sovereign when it comes to running their external policies. A good example is that regardless of what you may want to see happen in Afghanistan, you cannot take matters into your own hands. We have our limitations with regards to things like drone attacks in the FATA. So your smug remarks should be tempered with reality.
@Sun Tzu: Maybe Bangladesh and India need a pat on the back from Obama, us Pakistanis don't.
We as a nation needs to grow up. We don't need Obama. Our Elite needs Obama. We need to elect good people who will make us independent. Only dependence on Allah will make us successful.
Obama took flowers with him while visiting India and send drones to Pakistan to kil terrorists and innocent Pakistanis which is termed as collateral damage.
@Siraj Ahmed:
Yes. Obama should visit Pakistan if not on a state visit but at least on a door step visit for few hours at least. Former president Bill Clinton did it. Remember, Pakistan is the fifth largest democracy in the world and visit would slow down vicious misunderstanding and strengthen liberal forces and section of Pak Society.
One of the best things, US can do is to select a Pakistani-American and designate him as Ambassador to Pakistan. There are lots of talented Pakistani s in USA pick Prof. Akbar Ahmed an eminent academic and anthropologist.
He would LOVE the job!
@tasaduq kazmi:
Sounds grand and reminiscent of IK political speeches where he predicted everything would be peachy when the USA left Afghanistan. Pakistanis like to blame others for all their problems and America and India seem to be the favorite punching bags ... but neither are responsible for Pakistan's religious extremism which is the source of terrorism and most of your economic woes.
US has business and strategic partnership with India but with Pakistan it is only limited to Afghanistan where lot of distrust still remains between the two countries due to past experiences. In case Pakistan does not deliver in Afghanistan and continue hostilities against India, US will move further away which is evident from Obama's cold shouldering Pakistan.
News is really an eye opener for the Pakistani establishment who hv ruined this country by implementing and pursuing US policies over the decades.as usual now when they hv no interest left in supporting Pakistan they hv left Pakistan alone to face the consequences as they did in the past after Soviet withdrawal of Afghanistan.its high time for Pakistan to revise it's foreign policy.
I think its a pity President Obama has not visited Pakistan. I would like world leaders to regularly visit Pakistan and get a feel for the place themselves. The country has tremendous potential. Its people are hard working and resilient. We should have a good relationship with all countries if possible.
It seems to me the TTP and India have had the same objectives, to destabilise Pakistan, tie up Pak Army in internal cointerinsurgency, destroy its economic potential, and isolate the country internationally.
It also appears that there was a concerted attempt to start some form of Shia Sunni civil war here, and it is a real credit to Pakistanis that this has not happened. Pakistan and Pakistanis now have to start having their own connection with God (which ever God they want to believe in), and no longer rely on Iranian or Saudi funded bearded preachers. Most of all we now need to be Pakistanis, period.
Given the right leadership and vision (which Qaid e Azam kindly provided), we can overtake all our peers in teh region.
It is not the decision but the logic behind the statement of Spokesman that is baffling.
Dear All, Everyone have their own interests. Give respect and have respect.
The de-facto leader of the our so called sovereign country, our COAS, was there in United States for more than two weeks. Must have done some good meetings in the greatest interest of the country. I don't see any special reasons for Obama to visit Pakistan unless he would like to play a few balls of cricket just GWB did when he last visited Pakistan.
US calling Pakistan a close ally on war on terror and then it's president not bother to visit Pakistan with a democratic government. It really tells why Pakistanis are skeptical about the US.
If Kerry can throw USD 250 Mn at Pakistan, ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Imagine how much can the US Prez do!.
Much as US spokesmen may try to rationalize American Presidents unwillingness to visit Pakistan is not at the expense of each other, it is hard to believe it. Given the animosity of India against Pakistan there is no way to justify extra ordinary favors to India like nuclear energy, joint exercises , co-production of defense equipment's and participation in republic day celebrations etc. US also must realize that Pakistan has been in the fore front in defending US interest in the region for almost five decades. At a time when India was hobnobbing with USSR against it. Much of Pakistan problems are a consequence of Pakistan support to US . It is quite clear that now American interest has shifted to build up India in her clash with China. Pakistan as a nation cannot except a doctrine that US obvious tilt in favor of India and correspondingly ignoring Pakistan's interest. If really America wants to play a role that it professes the least it can do is to persuade India to have a settlement of Kashmir issue on the basis of UN verdict. Kashmir is the litmus test of America's good intention towards Pakistan. This will be in US interest also as it will carry the support of both the countries.
For Obama India is a business partner as Indian Americans have made immense contibutions to the US economy. Here are only two examples for our Pakistani readers:
Mr. Satya Nadella (CEO/Expert in Cloud computing at Microsoft) - Salary USD 84m/annum
Mr. Amit Singhal (Master of Google's ranking algorithm)
I am sure there are many more Indians compared to Pakistani brains.
Our worry should be to acquire that level of expertise and skill set and gain global recognition. Then it will be destination Pakistan for future US Presidents.
The question is where is our Satya and Amit?
At the White House I recall Nawaz Sharif had offered 'dal qeema' (pulse with miced meat) to Obama may be he cares to remember the time he spent in Karachi in the 1980's and decides to make it for a quick hotty bite. Obama is known to shrug all protocols and loves to get his own burger. Who knows! See the host is not going to Davos.
@ABC Dont burn Pakistani friend, Your country continuously getting massive amount of Aid, Weapons from USA, Let me remind you It was your Uncle sam that saved your west Pakistan during 1971 by dispatching its Pacific Fleet & how did you repayed? by hiding OSAMA BTW India is always a sovereign nation unlike yours Enjoy the day
We desperately want you in Pakistan even for few hours. Because it gives a false sense of pride, even when we know we are not capable of hosting a US president due to unstable Pakistan.
Mr Obama knows that he has burnt all bridges to muslim majority and European lands!!!
Rex Minor
Conspiracy by "Indian Labby" to defame Pakistan.......
Somehow have a feeling that he will make an "unscheduled" visit to Pakistan just after his trip to India. Just a wild guess.
Hmmm.... Well next time Nawaz Sharif goes to NYC for UNGA he should not bother meeting with Obama. He should just send Sartaj Aziz, because that's basically who John Kerry is. He should meet with Putin Xi Jingping, and Rouhani in New York and then avoid meeting U.S. officials. You ignore us? We'll ignore you.
I have never seen Pakistan issuing condolences any later than india ...The incident happened in Pakistan we dealt with it yet America is persistent saying that well done India you reached out to Pakistan .....What a shame ...From cartoons to Strategic partnership ....We are targeted ..The west who is concerned about the feeling of its dog is not concerned about the hearts of 1.5 billion ppl ...There is something wrong ppl we need to realize before its too late ....
@AVMPolpot:
Now you can change your name proudly to AVM-US-PET
Maybe when US President visits Bangladesh they can visit Pakistan - all indicators show that Bangladesh is forging ahead of Pakistan....US Presidents need to encourage secular countries - not ones trying to establish Caliphate.
" So we feel confident about our high-level engagement,” Rhodes said." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Translated: So we feel confident about our high-level presidential non-engagement,” Rhodes said.
What ......... ?????????
" Obama’s decision to not visit Pakistan is in the interest of all three countries. " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I think that the statement is deceptive.Actually it was the shortage of petrol......
" Obama’s decision to not visit Pakistan is in the interest of all three countries. ." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ As a corollary Kerry's recent visit was not in the interest of Pakistan.:).
Thank you Obama for not coming to Pakistan, as per poll results most of the Pakistanis do not like you and US government and invasion in Pakistan. So be tied to india and leave Pakistan with all of your agents and army.
I am happy to see Pakistan is getting our of US grip. India would love to be new pet of USA after Russia
" Obama's decision to visit India, not Pakistan, in the interest of all three countries: US" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I hope that future US Presidents will also work in the interest of all three countries!
This statement is nothing but a move to appease Pakistan so that the US-Pakistan relations do get affected with Obama's trip to India.
It was a good decision......seen from Pakistan's point of view.