US Presdient may visit India this year

BHUBNESWAR: United States President Barack Obama is likely to visit India this year, according to United States Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer

He was having brief interaction with journalists after addressing a gathering of 10,000 tribal students at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences here on Thursday evening.

“We are anxious to see this happen as soon as possible. Hopefully he will come this year,” Mr Roemer said while replying to a query.

Asked if the US would allow India to have direct access to interrogate Lashkar-e-Tayyeba operative David Headley, Mr Roemer chose not to proffer a direct answer. “The US and India are now holding discussions at highest levels. Both the counties share common objective to bring David Headley to justice,” he said.

India has been seeking access to Headley, an American of Pakistani-origin, to get details of his activities regarding the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and plans for further strikes in India. He was arrested in the US in October 2009 and has been charged with helping plan the 26/11 terror attacks that killed 173 people.

Stating that US had admitted 26/11 Mumbai attack as sensitive issue, Mr Roemer said the US wanted all the perpetrators of Mumbai carnage to be brought to the book.

To query on military build-up along the Indo-Pak borders by both the countries, the diplomat said, ““Leader in India and Pakistan should decide and talk on bilateral issues such as peace, water and economic cooperation.”

The Ambassador said terrorism was common enemy of India and United States. “Terrorists outfits like Al Qaeda and Taliban are common enemies of both the countries. India and US are now sharing vital intelligence even at middle of the night to fight terrorism and save lives,” he remarked.