WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama says the United States is not responsible for resolving the long-standing conflict between Pakistan and India, but that America wants to encourage security and civil progress in both nations.

Obama said Tuesday that the U.S. will encourage India and Pakistan to feel secure and to “focus on the development of their own countries.” He defended U.S. aid to Pakistan that is meant to help the nation combat extremists.

Obama made his remarks in a brief news conference with visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“The relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century,” Obama declared — twice — during a news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The two appeared before reporters in the East Room after an elaborate morning welcome ceremony that was moved indoors by rain and about two hours of private talks in the Oval Office.

He also touted India as a key partner on a range of crucial global issues. He used some of the same complimentary language he displayed while in China, only there he was looking to prod Beijing to do more with its new clout, while with Singh he was lauding what is already happening.

Obama said he and Singh agreed to “work even closer” on sharing information between law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Obama called the two nations “natural allies” on the topic.

“We both recognize that our core goal is to achieve peace and security for all peoples in the region, not just one country or the other,” the president said.

Noting that the United States was India’s largest trading partner, Obama said broadening trade ties would help create much needed jobs in the two countries, both wracked by economic recessions.

LAHORE, Pakistan News: Lahore High Court on Wednesday rejected a review petition filed against its verdict on delaying bye polls in Punjab, directing the Election Commission to reschedule the polls by consulting the provincial government.

A Division Bench of LHC rejected the petition filed by President Awami Muslim League Shiekh Rasheed Ahmed and other candidates running in the bye-polls on the seats of National and Punjab assemblies lying vacant in the province, endorsing the earlier-given verdict – given by a single member bench of the same court, of delaying bye-election in the province.

The bench also directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to consult Punjab government on rescheduling the bye-polls in the province in the light of single bench’s verdict.

Meanwhile, Shiekh Rasheed has announced to challenge the verdict of Lahore High Court and rejection of his petition against it in Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Talking to newsmen here after the hearing, AML chief claimed that the bye-polls would be held in 2010.