US President Barack Obama's policy focus in the war against terror is in consonance with India's belief that elements operating from Pakistan and Taliban-held areas of Afghanistan are the biggest source of terrorism,External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said. In an interview to Dubai-based Khaleej Times newspaper,Mukherjee expressed hope that US policies in Pakistan would be directed at the elimination of terrorist elements in that country. President Obama's focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan in its fight against international terrorism converges in many ways with India's own belief that elements operating from Pakistan and the Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan are the biggest source of international terrorism. We hope that US policies in Pakistan would be directed at the elimination of terrorist elements that have taken root in territories under Pakistan's control and have been allowed unfettered growth over many years, he said. He said the situation in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border regions was of great concern to India and needs to be dealt with in an united manner. On Sri Lanka where the government forces are on the verge of uprooting the LTTE,Mukherjee said the plight of civilians trapped in the war zone is a matter of serious concern and stressed the need of a political solution to the conflict. The fact that civilians and internally displaced persons are caught up with the conflict is a matter of serious concern for us. I visited Sri Lanka last month to take up this matter,including the need to ensure the safety and security of the civilians, Mukherjee said. Pointing out that Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa had,immediately after his visit to Colombo,announced a 48-hour period for civilians to cross over to safer areas,Mukherjee said India had asked the Sri Lankan government to start the political process urgently. We continue to maintain the need for a negotiated political settlement of issues acceptable to all communities in Sri Lanka,including the Tamil community, he said. On India's partnership with UAE in combating terrorism,Mukherjee said India is in talks with the country to put in place an institutional mechanism for combating terrorism. We are currently holding discussions with UAE to conclude an agreement ¿ a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on combating terrorism,to put in place an institutional mechanism, he said,without elaborating further. Asked if India's growing ties with Israel were affecting its relations with the Arab world,the Minister said New Delhi supports the Arab Peace Initiative and a viable and sovereign Palestinian state and has opposed the expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. Our support for the Palestinian cause has been consistent. India is supporting the peaceful resolution of the conflict in West Asia resulting in a sovereign,independent,viable and united state of Palestine,living within secure and recognised borders,side by side and at peace with Israel, he said. He said India's bilateral relations with any country are not conducted at the expense of our relations with any other country. To a question on the ruling party in India beginning to woo the estranged Left parties ahead of the general elections,Mukherjee said any alliance will depend on how the numbers add up post elections. What will happen in post-election scenario will depend on how the numbers add up. It is too early to speculate on this. Along with other UPA partners,we are hopeful of a comfortable majority, he said.
