We are not the US - Manmohan

AFGHANISTAN: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday demanded a thorough investigation into how Osama bin Laden could live in Pakistan for so long before he was eliminated. One needs to go in for a thorough investigation into the presence of Osama bin Laden for such a long time in Abbottabad, he said at a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai after their talks.

The Prime Minister is in Afghanistan on a two-day visit. He said bin Laden's death had created a new situation, and all the countries of the region India, Pakistan and Afghanistan would recognise this as a unique moment" in the history of this region and work united to end the scourge of terrorism.

Asked whether India would adopt the type of operation carried out by the US to eliminate the al-Qaeda chief in order to get the terrorists wanted by it, Dr. Singh said: These are sensitive issues and we don't discuss strategies on terror in press conferences. He added: We are not the US, implying that India did not favour such an operation.

Dr. Singh expressed the hope that the world community would use its increasing amount of influence to persuade all the countries in the region that the future does not belong to having continued recourse to the scourge of terrorism. Our experience in the past has been rather frustrating and disappointing. But one cannot lose hope, he said. In his opening remarks, he announced a fresh commitment of $500 million to Afghanistan in the next few years for development.

This will consist of specific projects and schemes and other initiatives that will be developed in consultation with the government of Afghanistan, he said reiterating India's firm and unwavering" commitment to assisting that country in areas that are of priority and concern to them. The Hindu