Brushing aside suggestions that his country was soft towards Pakistan, US Ambassdor to India Timothy J Roemer today said Washington had been repeatedly telling Islamabad to take firm action against terror groups operating from its soil.
In fact, Pakistan had started taking effective action against Taliban and Lashkar groups in Waziristan and other places, he told a media round table here.
The US envoy, on a two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh, was responding to a question whether the US was soft on Pakistan, perceived to be the breeding ground of several terror outfits.
Roemer lauded India's efforts in fighting the terror menace and heaped praise on Union home minister P Chidambaram for taking steps in this regard.
The US and India would work more closely in fighting terrorism which needed to be crushed with an iron hand, he said.
Terrorists had been trying to expand their wings all over the world, the ambassador said emphasising the need for concerted and firm efforts in eliminating the scourge.
Turning to US-India ties, he said both the nations were global players and working together in areas like education, women empowerment, healthcare, education, business andclimate and environment.
On the Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement, he this would provide a green energy to the people of India and many jobs opportunites.
"It is a win-win situation for both the countries," Roemer said.
He had a word of praise for Indian Parliamantary democracy, saying "we respect the system in India".
Meanwhile, the US Ambassador also attended a dinner hosted by senior Congress leader Ammar Rizvi last night where state governor B L Joshi was the chief guest.
Interacting with the people, Roemer said US-Indo relationship was one of the most important relationships in the world and that was why president Barack Obama chose him for this important task in India.
When asked why he could not meet state chief minister Mayawati, he said it was not important for him to meet any individual or politician as meeting large number of people was his main objective.
Roemer also visited historical places like Bara Imambara, some prominent educational institutions and also called upon representatives of SEWA (Self Employed Women's Association) and other organisations.
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