World

Tough Questions: Indian Student Asks Obama Why Pakistan Is Not Considered a ‘Terrorist State’

NEW DELHI (AP) — President Barack Obama heralded the relationship between the United States and India as a “defining partnership” of the 21st century Monday during a grand ceremony marking his visit to the world’s largest democracy.

Obama’s limousine was escorted to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the palatial residence of India’s president, by guards on horseback. Obama greeted Indian dignitaries, then stood with his hand on his heart as the U.S. national anthem was played.

The president spoke briefly during the ceremony, thanking the Indian people for their hospitality and saying he hoped his trip here would strengthen the friendship between the two nations.

“The partnership between the United States and India will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century,” Obama said.

The grandeur of the arrival ceremony kicked off a day heavy on diplomacy. Obama was to meet privately with India’s Prime Minister Manmoham Singh, and the two leaders were then to take questions from the press. Later Monday, Obama planned to speak to the Indian Parliament, with announcements expected on counterterrorism, regional security, clean energy, climate change and economic growth.

Hanging over Obama’s 10-day trip to Asia are heavy election losses at home. On Sunday, Obama promised to make “midcourse corrections” to reinvigorate his embattled domestic agenda in the face of a testier American public and more combative Congress.

He was also confronted about his support for Pakistan, New Delhi’s nuclear neighbor and rival. He defended the alliance while acknowledging that Pakistan-based extremists are “a cancer” with the potential to “engulf the country.”

His comments took on added significance because he spoke in Mumbai, where memories are fresh from attacks in 2008 by Pakistani assailants that killed 166 in the city. Obama urged the two nations to talk peace; he didn’t commit the U.S. as middle man.

Domestic politics followed Obama across the globe, and he tried to explain how he will recalibrate his presidency from the rubble of this past week’s elections. The topic came up not in response to a question from a Washington reporter but rather an Indian college student, who told Obama: “It seems that the American people have asked for a change.”

The president agreed that people vented their frustration about the economy by sacking many incumbents. A “healthy thing,” he said, even though his Democratic Party suffered, losing control of one of the chambers in Congress. He said he would not retreat on spending money for energy and education, and offered no specific policy changes.

But then he added that the election “requires me to make some midcourse corrections and adjustments. And how those play themselves out over the next several months will be a matter of me being in discussions with the Republican Party.”

Obama’s words reflected the new political reality, sinking in by the day, that he must give ground to have hopes of advancing the leftover promises of his 2008 campaign. He is increasingly likely to compromise on extending tax cuts not just for the middle class but for the rich, at least temporarily, and will focus more on bringing down the federal deficit.

For all his emphasis on jobs and security, Obama was determined to make Sunday a more casual expression of his engagement in India. And this picture emerged: a rigid but good-spirited attempt by the president to dance with children, who pulled him from his chair to join them and his wife, Michelle, already participating gracefully.

That scene unfolded at a school where the Obamas spoke with students about science projects and helped celebrate the religious festival known as Diwali. Said one boy afterward: “I am feeling very proud.”

The centerpiece of Obama’s day was his stop at St. Xavier College, a Jesuit institution where students waited for hours outside for him in the heat.

Obama has used this town hall format in his foreign travels as a comfortable way to connect with people, although by the time he was done offering advice to the students, he only had room for six questions.

One of the sharper ones was this — “Why is Pakistan so important an ally to America, so far as America has never called it a terrorist state?”

There were some murmurs from the audience.

Obama said it was OK. He knew it was coming.

Muslim-dominated Pakistan and Hindu-majority India have gone to war and still hold deep suspicions. Indian officials accuse Pakistan’s intelligence service of helping orchestrate the Mumbai attacks and say Islamabad has not done enough to crack down on the Pakistan-based extremists held responsible.

Pakistan views India’s ties with the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan as an effort by its old rival to encircle it.

Obama even got a prickly response from some Indian commentators on his first day in the country for failing to mention Pakistan when honoring the memories of those killed in the Mumbai attacks.

To his audience Sunday, he said the Pakistani government understands the dangerous elements that hide and operate within its borders. He also defended the strategic importance of Pakistan to the United States, as he has about India.

“We will work with the Pakistani government in order to eradicate this extremism that we consider a cancer within the country that can potentially engulf the country.” He said the U.S. approach is to “be honest and forthright with Pakistan, to say we are your friend, this is a problem and we will help you, but the problem has to be addressed.”

The president sought to make the difficult case that India has a rooting interest in Pakistan’s success, arguing that stability for its neighbors could help push peace and more economic growth for India. He encouraged peace talks and offered support, but not more. “India and Pakistan have to arrive at their own understandings,” he said.

Obama will spend Monday night in New Dehli before moving onto Indonesia, South Korea and Japan.

___

Associated Press writers Ravi Nessman and Erica Werner contributed to this report.

Comments (62)

1 2
  • docvet
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 12:22pm

    Weeeellll, this just sounds like the usual public diplomacy full of ass-patting and head rubbing. The real hard talk is done in private behind closed doors, like “Don’t forget to vote for me when the new world order kicks in and someone is needed to run the U.S. since I’m the only one who really understands socialism and how to baffle the sheeple there.” Uh, at least he thinks he does (shellacing?).

    Report Post »  
  • freeus
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 11:44am

    To Kaydeebeau, I spoke with a local Iranian in our community (SoCal) and to paraphrase his perspective is that any Muslim is tolerable as long as alone, the problems arise when two or more Muslims get together.
    FYI: I suspect he was a muslim and we were alone.

    Report Post »  
  • freeus
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 11:30am

    One difficult question, Barry. Pakistan will probably always be “unstable”. The Indians have it figured out about the Pakistanis. This young lady has courage.

    Report Post »  
  • BECK FOR PRESIDENT
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 11:12am

    Obama campain song for 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoaMk-HoLqg&feature=related

    Report Post »  
  • p8riot
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 11:06am

    He lost me in is ‘word-y’ reply–I don‘t have a clue what he said but know he didn’t answer the question–even one he was expecting!! The Indian students are very bright and I am sure were disappointed in the answer the ‘most intelligent’ US President gave. We need to finish ‘cleaning house’ in 2012 and vote in someone who can think on their feet and has a set of core values that can guide answers to questions.

    Report Post » p8riot  
  • Pyx
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 10:22am

    Obama will NEVER condemn his ideological brethren in radical islam. He grew up with them.

    Report Post » Pyx  
  • where is JG
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 9:39am

    Barry is the T Error Ist. WE THE PEOPLE know this. Its the zombies who dont know and continue to support MAObama

    Report Post » where is JG  
  • powhatan
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:50am

    Pok E Ston? Where is that?

    Report Post » powhatan  
  • Chialms
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:29am

    He wasn’t expecting this question. He was expecting a similar question, posed differently as to allow him to avoid the major pretentious issues involved with *answering* such a direct and honest question. This really was pathetic. If I were to take 5 minutes to not answer one of my children’s questions they would call me on it, don’t you doubt.

    But when you live in fear, the best you can do is try (and fail miserably) to please everyone. Obama is a man who thrives on the fear of his Countrymen, and one who lives daily in fear of being discovered as a weak, spineless and inept conductor of policy both at home and abroad. 2012 can not come soon enough.

    Report Post »  
  • coachpan
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:15am

    If he was expecting this question (because he is SO SMART), then why not a better answer? He rambles ,like usual, when not on a teleprompter. He says he knows the history between the two countrys. But, does he really?

    Report Post »  
  • joy2002cjm
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:59am

    He is so arrogant “ I was expecting that” Yet his answer is muddled and poorly thought out. Its hard to even figure out what he is saying, he doesnt know what he is saying! Lies are lies not matter what part of the world you are in.

    Report Post » joy2002cjm  
  • hamptonsurfer
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:36am

    sounds good if he was getting paid by the word, but he didn’t say a goddamned thing there. big dumb oaf.

    Report Post »  
  • hiramsmaxim
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:30am

    In foreign countries you cant all an apple an apple, it is whatever they want it to be. They prefer illusion, that is why OBUMMER is there, adding to the illusion that they cherish. I am speaking of foreign governments.

    Report Post » hiramsmaxim  
  • Mominfla51
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:07am

    Another question unanswered. This is typical BHO and Dems. It answer wasn’t on his teleprompter so he did his usual…uuhhh..uuhhh…uhhhh….What an embarrassment to our country!

    Report Post »  
  • Speak without Fear
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:00am

    5:46 secs of jibber jabber……and no answer to the question.
    Skirt….avoid….deflect……dodge….duck…..the question.

    Report Post »  
  • megaman
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:44am

    Im not sure if its just me I just dont trust Obama or our government anymore

    Report Post » megaman  
  • felina g
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:27am

    Nice he could slip away with the Jesuits. Maybe he needed to cash a check.

    Report Post »  
  • justice
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:38am

    I love this story, he can go to a foreign country and answer hard questions, but as our president we cannot ask the same, he else hides or you are investigated or shunned upon for doing it, RIGHT ON Mr.Pres. you have turned your back on us.

    Report Post »  
  • NHABE64
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:37am

    Pakistan should be called what it is, a terrorist state. Good for the Indian child who asked the question. Naturally Obama thinks everybody is supposed to agree and love him. Most people do not love or agree with him, especially in America now. He is a moslem and he has too many friends in Pakistan to speak against them. His words are full of crap and I would wager the Indians know he is a phoney as much as we know. Obama’s days are numbered, he is a disgrace and should be impeached before he doesn anymore damage to the United States.

    Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:14am

      The Pakistanis hate Obama. If he ever set foot in that country, the whole audience would lose their shoes. He won’t go, though, because he cannot be protected there.

      Report Post »  
  • benrush
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:37am

    “It’s not as quick as we would like”
    “Very difficult terrain”
    “The Pock-e-stawn-ee army has shifted”
    “growing recognition”
    “doesn’t happen overnight”
    “honest and forthright”
    “we want to be your friend and help you”
    “history incredibly complex”
    Blather blather blather
    smooth talker, ain’t he?
    Says nothing
    What have we elected? HOW did this man come to power?
    Because half the country hated Bush, actually because we are a divided country and the progressives have progressively obliterated the roots of our nation’s greatness.
    No entangling alliances, remember that phrase? It’s more important than ever.
    Teach your children well.

    Report Post »  
    • FORLORNHOPE
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 12:09pm

      “The Pock-e-stawn-ee army has shifted”

      More like Pock-e-stawn-ee army is full of terrorist. This is the same as hiring arsonist to put out your house fire.

      Report Post »  
  • DagneyT
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:27am

    To The Blaze staff; thank you for providing a narrative so I didn’t have to listen to his voice. For me, it’s like fingernails on a black board!

    As to his dilemma; he’s been so shielded and protected by the media in the US, I take delight in knowing that he’s out there facing tough questions! Get him, India! Too bad your tough questions won’t make it to air on SeeBS, et al.

    Report Post » DagneyT  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:54am

      I thought I was the only one who leaves the room, turns off the volume or pukes when I hear his voice. He makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, which in our house is a sign of distrust. Go figure!

      Report Post »  
  • Tony Nagy
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:09am

    OMG!…. Obama please, PLEASE do not insult the intelligence of the Indian people…. they are smarter than many, many other nations around the world. You will loose, if not lost their respect for you by what you said. I know why you’re in India, and I DO NOT for a second believe they will fall for your lies and spin doctoring…. We all know what Pakistan is all about…. you just don‘t have the ’cahones’ to call a spade a spade. I have great respect for the Indian people, and you better show some too, before it’s too late…. They can see a wolf in sheeps clothing, even if you’re not wearing a tie.

    Report Post » Col. HawK  
    • RICH NORRIS
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:16am

      Tony, he knows exactly what he’s doing. This trip is all about his positioning in the World Order for when he loses in 2012. This is all bigger that we can only imagine! He is eating humble pie to the other nations. Him and George S. is cooking up something and using our tax dollars to do it.

      Report Post » RICH NORRIS  
    • whitaker
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 4:42pm

      I think soros is just a pupet for those bigger. He could not set up the entire west for the fall thats coming alone. The QnA with obama and the India PM a member of the press asked him about the Fed, he was nervous then almost afraid to answer only saying there an Independent orginazation.

      Report Post » whitaker  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 3:39am

    You must read this article to understand that Barack Obama has taken the same stance on jihad as the Muslim Brotherhood has taken. They’ve sugar-coated it, when we all know that jihad means holy war. That is, waging war against the unbeliever.

    Heres the article:
    ~
    President Obama held a “town hall” event today at St. Xavier College in Mumbai as a part of his much-ballyhooed visit to India. After speaking for a while to the students, Mr. Obama took a few questions from the audience.

    The first question took me by surprise — hadn’t the president’s staff screened his potential questioners carefully? And I thought at first that Mr. Obama must have been surprised by it, too. But as he slid smoothly into such an eloquently delivered response, it became apparent that he was quite prepared for the topic, and delivered a well-oiled spiel on jihad that could have been cribbed directly from Imam Rauf’s briefing book.

    Here’s what the young lady asked Barack Hussein Obama, as recorded in the White House transcript:

    “Hi, good day, sir. Hi, my name is Anna and I’m from St. Davis College. My question to you is, what is your take on opinion about jihad, or jihadi? Whatever is your opinion, what do you think of them?”

    Now let’s take a close look at President Obama’s answer, bearing in mind the lessons we have learned over the last few years about taqiyya as it is practiced by the Muslim Brotherhood’s agents planted in the West:

    ”Well, the phrase [sic] jihad has a lot of meanings within Islam and is subject to a lot of different interpretations.”

    This is always the first line of defense about jihad. There are many interpretations: it really means an “inner struggle”, and violent jihad is a fringe interpretation, etc., etc.

    But this is not true. As Hans Jansen pointed out in his expert testimony at Geert Wilders’ trial, a consensus of the scholars — the Muslim legal experts and jurists who defined the precise meaning of Islamic legal terms a millennium ago — holds that jihad means waging war against the unbeliever until he converts, is killed, or accepts second-class status under the supremacy of Islam.

    The only time when jihad means anything else is when fork-tongued dissemblers like Tariq Ramadan perpetrate their hoaxes on gullible Westerners.

    Among Muslims themselves, “jihad” means “holy war”. Period.

    But I will say that, first, Islam is one of the world’s great religions.

    Heh. Doesn’t he sound just like George W. Bush?

    And more than a billion people who practice Islam, the overwhelming majority view their obligations to their religion as ones that reaffirm peace and justice and fairness and tolerance.

    Yes, this is true. But these four words have different meanings to Muslims than they do to other speakers of English:

    Peace means “complete submission to Allah”. Those who submit live in the House of Submission, Dar al-Islam. Those who don’t submit live in Dar al-Harb — the House of War. This is codified in Islamic law, and it enjoys the consensus of the scholars.

    Justice means “carrying out the tenets of Sharia law in their entirety”. This includes the stoning of adulterers, the chopping off of the hands of thieves, and the beating of recalcitrant wives. It’s in the Koran.

    Fairness means “the equal treatment of all under Islamic law”. But “all” means “all Muslims”. Non-believers are not covered by fairness. Once again, the Koran is very explicit about excluding infidels from the benefits enjoyed by the faithful.

    Tolerance means “the acceptance of all people, no matter what their race or nationality, who abide by the laws of Allah as handed down by his messenger”. Do you think that means tolerating Buddhists? Or lesbians? Think again.

    Now the “extremists” appear:

    “I think all of us recognize that this great religion in the hands of a few extremists has been distorted to justify violence towards innocent people that is never justified.”

    Once again, this is precisely true: Islam forbids violence against innocent people. The trick here is the Islamic definition of the word “innocent”. No one can be considered innocent unless he has declared his submission to the law of Allah. Therefore non-Muslims are never “innocent”, and may be killed with impunity.

    It’s in the Koran.

    Notice also the “tiny minority” fallacy, which has been described previously in this space by both El Inglés and Pike Bishop.

    Murderously violent people are always a tiny minority of any population. Among the world’s Muslims, even one-tenth of one percent is a huge number of people. Are we required to accept death at their hands because there are only a million of them?

    “And so I think one of the challenges that we face is how do we isolate those who have these distorted notions of religious war and reaffirm those who see faiths of all sorts — whether you are a Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian or a Jew or any other religion, or your [sic] don’t practice a religion — that we can all treat each other with respect and mutual dignity… that those are what we’re living up to, as we live in a nation or nations that have very diverse religious beliefs.”

    Who has a “distorted notion of religious war”? And what happens to “diverse religious beliefs” under an Islamic regime?

    “Diversity” under those circumstances mean that Christians and Jews may be (at most) tolerated if they pay the tax and live as second-class citizens, recognizing the supremacy of Islam. But Hindus are considered vile idolaters, and will not be tolerated at all. If Sharia is followed strictly, they may choose conversion or death — those are their choices.

    Surely there are some Hindus in India who are familiar with the historical evidence for this fact…?

    “And that’s a major challenge. It’s a major here in India, but it’s a challenge obviously around the world. And young people like yourselves can make a huge impact in reaffirming that you can be a stronger observer of your faith without putting somebody else down or visiting violence on somebody else.”

    Who visits violence on whom? Which religion habitually practices violence against all others?

    And what is a peacefully-inclined young person to do if his faith or his atheism comes under violent attack from the forces of Islam?

    Would President Obama prescribe “dialogue” to answer that “challenge”?

    “[…] And those circumstances — I think all of us have to fundamentally reject the notion that violence is a way to mediate our differences.”

    All of “us” have to fundamentally reject violence. But what if some of “them” not only fail to reject violence, but embrace it joyfully?

    And what happens if some of that violence is directed at us? Are we supposed to non-violently allow a tiny minority of misguided extremists to slit our throats?

    Or will you, Barack Hussein Obama, step in and interpose your own body between those who would kill us and their intended victims?

    http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2010/11/obama-takes-muslim-brotherhood-line-on.html

    Report Post » SilentReader  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 4:45am

      And I thought Obamas answer was wordy ……… SILENTREADER you win but you obviously have a deep understanding.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:59am

      Sam Solomen was in Nashville approx 3 wks ago – he is a former Islamic Jurist of 15 years who converted to Christianity. He was asked about the many so called moderate muslims and why they don’t stand up against radical islam. His answer (I paraphrase) was that the difference between a radical mulim and a moderate muslim is that a radical muslim will snatch you off the street rape and kill you, a moderate mulim will take you out to dinner and a movie, kiss you good night first then rape and kill you.

      I think that answer pretty much sums up what most of us know in our gut but try to talk ourselves out of because of the PC crap we are surrounded with…. We must not be fooled

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:25am

      kaydeebeau,
      I think that applies to men. Most women are either silent or have been silenced. It is a misogynist religious system.

      Report Post »  
  • LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 3:29am

    Yeah, India, maybe THAT’S wha the bags of money from Iran are for. Hey Obama, a friend to all is a friend to none!

    Report Post » LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA  
    • woodydad
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:11am

      To Kaydebeau; This is why I say there are only two kinds of muslims, Active and dormant.

      Report Post » woodydad  
    • freeus
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 11:32am

      Woody daddy, can you be both?

      Report Post »  
  • mark t
    Posted on November 8, 2010 at 3:12am

    ” in the face of a testier American public and more combative Congress.” he can still take nancy and whatever dem behind closed door’s to sway their vote, then he can sit and spin cause it ain goin nowhere piece of crap!!!! you kwow what i really wanted to say…
    Hindu‘s honoring a muslim imagine that there are moron’s beond our border’s**********

    Report Post » mark t  
    • Fletch
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 3:19am

      so the one never answered the question when asked about “Pack-e-stan” as a terrorist state

      Report Post » Fletch  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 3:23am

      @Fletch

      Nope he failed again to answer a question that went contrary to what he had arrainged to be asked.

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • CatB
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 4:06am

      I would like to know why he calls it Pock e ston … is that the way the terrorists like it pronounced? Whenever I hear a newscaster do the same thing I just tune out because I figure I am going to get Obama talking points.

      Report Post »  
    • rebel
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:51am

      @ CATB
      I feel the same way. Of course what it is is that he wants to say it how the natives say it so no one is offended. PC for the loss

      Report Post » quiet little lamb  
    • HouseNegro
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:24am

      Wow! Even a child can stump “The Magic *****”.

      SpankDaMonkey  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:49am

      You keep giving yourself away, Obama. “A world without nuclear weapons?” What Christian would be so arrogant as to think he could rid the world of nuclear weapons? You call yourself a Christian, yet you repeatedly defy what the Bible says. Shall we trash the book of Revelation because you know better than God?

      Keep on reading your teleprompter trash. We the People don’t believe you or applaud you. We know you well, and we retch.

      Report Post »  
    • jimmythebullet
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:04am

      i read an article on another aggregate news site regarding his need for teleprompters.most of the indian officials were,at the very least,perplexed.one of them,speaking anonymously,wondered aloud-”i thought he was a trained orator.we’ve never seen a speaker,much less a head of state,need an artificial apparatus to tell them what to say”
      IMHO,he needs the teleprompters to remember exactly what he’s supposed to say.every time erkel goes off ‘prompter,he says something that ****** off his neo-marxist handlers and reveals a few more of the cards in the dark game of global poker.
      “praise the lord and pass the ammo”
      jimmy “the bullet”
      isaiah 5:20

      Report Post » jimmythebullet  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:13am

      Amen, brother

      Report Post »  
    • Muslim in Chief
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 10:50am

      Has the avoider in chief ever answered any question ever put to him?

      Report Post » Obama Bin Lying  
    • crackerone
      Posted on November 8, 2010 at 9:08pm

      HouseNegro!

      LMAO!

      Report Post »  
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