DATE=2/11/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON INDIA VISIT
NUMBER=5-45434
BYLINE=RAVI KHANNA
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Preparations are underway for President
Clinton's scheduled trip to India next month. While
security experts are checking out the cities he plans
to visit in India, officials of the two countries are
meeting to complete an agenda for their talks.
India's foreign secretary, Lalit Mansingh, was in
Washington this week for meetings at the State
Department and the White House. V-O-A's Ravi Khanna
reports from Washington.
TEXT: Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh says India is
excited about Mr. Clinton's visit because it will
affirm what he called a new relationship between the
two democracies.
/// Mansingh ///
So far, the two countries had seen each other
through the prism of the cold war. The cold war
is over and we are in direct contact with each
other and we are discussing the prospects of a
partnership covering wide range of areas.
/// End Act ///
What he did not say was that India's relations with
the United States have warmed up considerably since
Washington's insistence last year that Pakistan
withdraw Islamic militants from Indian Kashmir and,
more recently, its pressure on Pakistan to stop
supporting Muslim separatist groups in Indian Kashmir.
Earlier U-S administrations had never singled out
Pakistan so directly.
Mr. Mansingh said his talks in Washington also focused
on combating terrorism and the two countries' mutual
cooperation in this regard.
/// Mansingh Act ///
We had intensive discussions on terrorism, and
the first meeting of the joint working group on
terrorism met here (in Washington). We are
pleased with the discussion. It is going to
lead to much greater degree of cooperation
between the two countries in the matter of
terrorism.
/// End Act ///
Mr. Mansingh rejected suggestions that India does not
want President Clinton to go to Pakistan during this
trip.
/// Mansingh Act ///
We have invited him (President Clinton) and it
is not a conditional invitation. It is for the
American side to decide whether the president
visits any other country. However, we thought
as friends we will bring to their notice that
there might be a public reaction in India (if he
also goes to Pakistan), and this has been
conveyed to them.
/// End Act ///
India's Foreign Secretary Mansingh also denied
speculative reports that Mr. Clinton's visit to New
Delhi has been linked to India signing the Nuclear
Test Ban Treaty. (signed)
NEB/RAVI/JP
11-Feb-2000 12:04 PM EDT (11-Feb-2000 1704 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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