BJP to discuss Pakistan terror links with Obama

NEW DELHI - Pakistan-based militants’ role in terror activities in India and the “protectionist policies” of the US that harm Indian industry are some of the issues the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will raise with US President Obama Monday, party sources said.

Senior BJP leaders held a meeting here Sunday chaired by party veteran L.K. Advani to finalise the issues Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj will take up with Obama when she calls on him, party officials said.

The meeting was held at Advani’s residence and was attended, besides Swaraj, by Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, party vice-president Venkaiah Naidu, deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha S.S. Ahluwalia and general secretary Anand Kumar.

Party leaders did not speak to the media after the two-hour meeting.

The party finalised the issues to be raised, including Pakistan-based militants’ role in terrorist activities in India and the “protectionist policies” of the US harming Indian industry, party sources revealed.

Party spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy had remarked that Obama’s statement at Mumbai Saturday was “disappointing” as it did not name Pakistan for indulging in terrorist activities in India.

However, party circles later hinted that some party leaders felt that “Rudy’s statement could have been more moderate”.

Swaraj will be meeting Obama Monday noon before he addresses the joint session of parliament.

Obama, who is on a four-day India visit, arrives in New Delhi Sunday afternoon and leaves for Indonesia Tuesday.