BJP expresses concern about US approach towards Pak

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday told president Barack Obama that an impression should not be given that for the US, Pakistan was an ally and India a market. The concern about Washington’s approach towards Pakistan was among the five issues raised by the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj during her 30-minute meeting with the US president. The other areas she focused on were China, outsourcing, Bhopal gas tragedy and work permits. “The US and India share a common perception of the war against terror.

However, every Indian would appreciate if the US is clear in identifying the perpetrator of this terror attack namely Pakistan,” Ms Swaraj told him, according to a statement released after the meeting. She said occasional utterances by the US such as granting special status relationship to Pakistan or treating it as the most important non-NATO ally of US caused concern in India.However, Ms Swaraj appreciated the concern shown by Mr Obama with regard to the terrorist attacks on 26/11 and sympathies expressed by him for the victims. of the attack.

The BJP leader, who said the president appreciated the Opposition party’s concerns, also said US should dispel the notion on China’s role in resolving any issue in South Asia. On outsourcing, she emphasised that outsourcing is mutually beneficial to both the Indian and the US economies.

“It gives jobs to Indians but makes corporations in the US more competitive and adds to the efficiency of the US economy. This in turn creates jobs in India and helps a more competitive US economy to generate more jobs in the United States of America,” she said.

The BJP has been critical of Washington’s protectionist approach saying that it espouses free trade when it suits the US. Ms Swaraj conveyed to the president that the US must resolve the worry about confiscation of social security under the totalisation agreement.