Obama rules out mediating in Indo-Pak conflict from outside -India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The United States will not mediate from outside to resolve all conflicts between India and Pakistan, President Barack Obama told a joint news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday. Obama took note of the historic animosity between Pakistan and India. "Obviously there are historic conflicts between India and Pakistan, it is not the place of United States to try to...from the outside resolve all those conflicts. On the other hand we want to be encouraging of ways in which both India and Pakistan can feel secure and focus on the development of their own countries and their people," he said. Prime Minister Singh said he was satisfied with the outcome of his discussions with Obama. "The President and myself had a very productive and useful exchange of views relating to security, peace and counter-terrorism in our region. I am very satisfied with the outcome of my discussions with President Obama," Singh said. President Obama said he will announce a new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan soon and that his intention will be to have a plan to "finish the job" there after eight years of war. Influential voices in Obama's national security cabinet, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates and military chiefs, favor a U.S. troop increase of 30,000-plus, officials said. The final number could reach 35,000 once U.S. trainers are factored in, but estimates on the number of trainers vary widely. Obama would not be drawn out on specifics but said he would have an announcement after this week's Thanksgiving holiday. He is expected to give a prime-time address next Tuesday. "Afghanistan's stability is important to that process. I have also indicated that after eight years some of those years in which we did not have, either the resources or the strategy to get the job done. It is my intention to finish the job," Obama said a day after his final meeting with his war council about his new strategy. Under pressure from Democrats and many Americans to find a way out of Afghanistan, Obama said it is going to be important to recognize that the Afghan people "are ultimately going to have to provide for their own security." He said he will discuss in his strategy a clear rationale for what the United States is doing in Afghanistan and will say how Afghan security forces can be trained and equipped.