Pak aid only if US interests watched, says Obama

However, he said the United States would not be comfortable in a long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan if it felt that Islamabad was not mindful of US interests. Obama told a news conference the United States remained committed to helping Pakistan confront its own problems despite concern over ties between some elements of the Pakistan intelligence services with extremist groups. "But there s no doubt that we re not going to feel comfortable with a long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan if we don t think that they re mindful of our interests as well," Obama said. US President Barack Obama also accused Pakistan of hedging its bets on Afghanistan s future. "I think they have hedged their bets in terms of what Afghanistan would look like and part of hedging their bets is having interactions with some of the unsavory characters who they think might end up regaining power in Afghanistan after coalition forces have left," Obama said in a White House news conference. Obama said the US will constantly evaluate relationship with Pakistan in light of US Interests. About the South Asia region, Obama said a more peaceful relationship between India and Pakistan would be beneficial, in everyone s interest. The US president said says it is in Pakistan s interest to have a stable Afghanistan, but have more work to do. He said Pakistan has been an effective partner in the fight against al Qaeda.