Pakistan has a cancer of terrorism, says US envoy to India

"He (the US President) said very frankly that Pakistan recognizes that it has a problem. He also said that Pakistan has a cancer of terrorism.  They're recognizing it more and trying to address it," Roemer told MSNBC in an interview.

"The more important strategic point and regional point is that India, in order to grow its economy, at 8, 9, 10 per cent, needs a more stable partner on its border," he said.
"Let's be very clear about this. First of all, I think the US and India share a strategic and common interest in Afghanistan. Both countries want peace, prosperity and an independent Afghanistan," he said in response to a question.

Roemer said President Barack Obama was in India to express this new strategic partnership between the United States and India, but it's a two-way street.
"He is here fighting for jobs in America," he said.

"He (Obama) addressed this head on in the town meeting. He said both at a business meeting, in a town meeting, that's the old way to look at this relationship. The new way to look at it for America and for American jobs and for India is to say how do we build this market of 1.5 billion people with shared values and shared benefits and get benefits for both societies," he said.

"More and more people here will move from poverty into the middle class. As those people move into the middle class, we are talking about the possibility of a hundred, 200, 300 million people who could buy American products," he said.

Roemer said the US is the most respected country in India and the most popular country almost by a two-to-one factor.

"He (Obama) is lighting up people's faces everywhere. People can't wait to meet him. He has a very, very good chemistry and friendship with Dr. (Prime Minister Manmohan) Singh," he said.

"The second thing I would say is the India-US partnership is one that's based on bipartisanship. Both Democrats and Republicans want a strong relationship with India. This is a non-partisan area of US strategic importance with India. It's a very good time, very important progress and very exciting to be part of it," Roemer said.