BJP criticizes Obama for not naming Pakistan

India?s principle Opposition party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Saturday criticized visiting US President Barack Obama for not naming Pakistan, from whose soil anti-India terror activities are mostly sponsored, while speaking about need to fight terrorism globally.

?In his first statement itself on terror, the US President missed an opportunity to strike a chord with the people of India,? BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.

He termed Obama?s Mumbai speech ?a disappointment?.

?He talks about perpetrators, determination, solidarity (against terror), but knowing fully well that Pakistani soil and machinery is used against India, he simply by not acknowledging it (Pakistan?s role) has disappointed India,? the BJP spokesperson added.

Obama, in a statement at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai after paying homage to 26/11 attack victims, pledged US support to India?s efforts to combat terror.

?India and the US are working more closely in counter-terrorism. Our two governments have been sharing intelligence to avoiding more attacks and demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice,? he said, though he did not even make any covert reference to Pakistan.

Obama started a three-day visit to India from Mumbai on Saturday.