Manmohan Singh to meet Barack Obama today, terror high on the agenda

Updated: Friday, September 27, 2013, 9:38 [IST]

Washington, Sept 27: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet US President Barack Obama at the White House on Friday. The two leaders are expected to talk on various issues, including terrorism.

Singh is also set to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on Sunday on the sidelines of a UN meeting despite a severe protest raised by the Opposition back home who demanded calling off the talks in the wake of twin terror attacks in Jammu on Thursday.

Ten people, including a top officer of the Indian Army, were killed in the attacks that targetted police station and army camp. All the three attackers were killed in the counterattack. The terrorists were believed to be the members of a Pakistan-based outfit.

The Oppn in India has raised a strong demand to cancel talks with Pakistan

India's Ambassador to the USA Nirupama Rao said the Pakistan-backed terrorism will feature in PM Singh's talks with President Obama.

The Indian government remained firm to go ahead with the talks despite the Opposition's protest. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Indian prime minister said the terror acts were committed by enemies of peace and the attempt to derail the dialogue process through such means will not be allowed to succeed.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj asked the prime minister to cancel the talks, saying there could not be any talks over dead bodies.

In Washington DC

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being greeted by Indian Ambassador to US Nirupama Rao and others on his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland airport in Washington DC on Thursday. Singh is in the US to attend the UN Summit and meet his Pakistani counterpart.

In Washington DC

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur being greeted by Indian Ambassador to US Nirupama Rao on their arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland airport in Washington on Thursday. Singh is in the US to attend the UN Summit and meet his Pakistani counterpart.

In Washington DC

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talks with media on his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland airport in Washington, USA on Thursday. Singh is in the US to attend the UN Summit and meet his Pakistani counterpart.