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01 February 1999

TEXT: US, INDIA ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT AT CONCLUSION OF TALKS

(Both sides determined to achieve a new, broad-based relationship)
(610)
Washington -- The eighth round of the U.S. - India dialogue on issues
related to security, disarmament and non-proliferation, held January
29-31 in New Delhi, concluded with "progress in several of the
subjects under discussion," according to a joint statement issued at
the conclusion of the talks.
"Both delegations are satisfied with the outcome of the talks," Deputy
Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, head of the American delegation,
and Mr. Jaswant Singh, Indian Minister for External Affairs, said in
the joint statement.
"As with earlier meetings, the security perspectives of the two sides
were further elaborated and clarified and proposals for harmonizing
these perspectives were explored. The delegations believe progress was
made in several of the subjects under discussion and remain committed
to achieving more progress in the weeks ahead," the statement read.
A ninth round of the dialogue is envisioned towards the middle of the
year, the dates and venue to be determined in consultation between the
two capitals, according to the statement.
Following is the text of the statement, released by Department of
State Spokesman James P. Rubin on February 1:
(Begin text)
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
February 1, 1999
STATEMENT BY JAMES P. RUBIN, SPOKESMAN
INDIA-UNITED STATES TALKS
The following joint statement was issued at the conclusion of talks in
New Delhi on January 29 to 31 between Deputy Secretary of State
Talbott and Mr. Jaswant Singh, Indian Minister for External Affairs.
The eighth round of the U.S. - India dialogue on issues related to
security, disarmament and non-proliferation has concluded. During the
three days of talks, January 29-31, there were four plenary meetings
of the two delegations as well as expert-level discussions and several
more restricted sessions between the two heads of delegation, Mr.
Strobe Talbott and Mr. Jaswant Singh. General Ralston held separate
consultations with several senior Indian military officials on a
variety of issues of mutual concern, including resumption of bilateral
cooperation in some areas.
Both delegations are satisfied with the outcome of the talks. As with
earlier meetings, the security perspectives of the two sides were
further elaborated and clarified and proposals for harmonizing these
perspectives were explored. The delegations believe progress was made
in several of the subjects under discussion and remain committed to
achieving more progress in the weeks ahead.
In this regard, a work plan for the next steps in the U.S. - Indian
dialogue was agreed. U.S. and Indian expert-level teams will meet in
early March for follow-up talks on export controls. The U.S. and
Indian delegations at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva will
endeavor to consult frequently on the status of negotiations on a
Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) and the possibility of other
multilateral initiatives. Finally, Mr. Talbott and Mr. Singh will
remain in close contact. While these contacts continue, both sides
will endeavor to create a positive atmosphere for advancing their
relations. A ninth round of the dialogue is envisioned towards the
middle of the year, the dates and venue to be determined in
consultation between the two capitals.
The two delegations recognize that the length of time devoted to these
talks is unprecedented in U.S. - Indian relations. It is the view of
both delegations that this is time well spent, laying the foundation
for a new, broad-based relationship that has eluded the United States
and India in the past which both sides are determined to achieve in
the future.
(End text)