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Daily News - 20 July 1998

India and the United States today continued their parleys over nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament issues. The third round of Indo-US talks after the Pokhran nuclear tests covered extensively various aspects of the issue including US sanctions and India's stand on CTBT.

Prime Minister's Special Envoy Mr.Jaswant Singh and US Deputy Secretary of State Mr.Strobe Talbott, who met in New Delhi this morning, will continue their discussion this afternoon and tomorrow. Mr.Talbott will also meet the Prime Minister, Mr.Atal Behari Vajpayee and the Home Minister, Mr.L.K.Advani this evening. He will also call on former Prime Minister, Mr.I.K.Gujral.

All India Radio correspondent says that the high level representation of the US side is an indication of the seriousness of the discussion on the crucial issues concerning the nuclear tangle. India has already announced its desire to formally undertake the moratorium on nuclear tests but it had made it clear this can not be done in a vacuum. New Delhi also highlighted its security concern and Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir on various occasions. The outcome of the talks would be known by this evening or tomorrow.

The third round of talks between India and the United States on nuclear disarmament and non-Proliferation take place in New Delhi this morning. The United States Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Strobe Talbott flew into the capital last night accompanied by a six member delegation. The Prime Minister's Special Emissary, Mr. Jaswant Singh will represent the country in the talks.

The discussion will try to narrow down the differences in the respective stands of both the countries. The two leaders are expected to have further exchange of views on wide-ranging issues including disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and regional and international developments. India may not alter its declared stand that building a minimal nuclear deterrent is not negotiable nor will it agree to rolling back or freezing its weaponisation programme.

According to official sources, New Delhi will firmly reiterate its stiff opposition to entertaining any third party mediation on Kashmir.

Besides his discussions with Mr. Jaswant Singh, Mr. Talbott will call on the Prime Minister and the Home Minister today. He will also have separate meetings with the Minister of State for External Affairs, Ms. Vasundhara Raje and the Foreign Secretary Mr. K. Raghunath.