DATE=2/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA - KASHMIR - U-S (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259108
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee
says his government will
not put up with any interference in its internal
affairs. Political analysts in New Delhi are linking
the Prime Minister's comments to President Clinton's
upcoming visit to India. From the Indian capital,
Anjana Pasricha has a report.
Text: Prime Minister Vajpayee told a group of non-
resident Indians visting New Delhi that India will not
allow others to "meddle" in its bilateral relations.
Prime Minsiter Vajpayee did not refer directly to any
particular country. But political analysts say the
comment comes in the wake of statements by senior U.S.
officials describing the disputed state of Kashmir as
a "fuse" and a "tinderbox".
President Clinton visits India next month - and
officials in New Delhi fear he may raise the issue of
India's unresolved dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir.
The South Asian neighbors have fought two wars over
the Himalayan territory which both claim.
International concerns over the dispute have increased
since both countries tested nuclear weapons. President
Clinton recently referred to Kashmir as a "troubled
part of the world" and said he was profoundly
concerned over the
discord between the two nuclear rivals. He expressed
his desire to further the cause of peace between India
and Pakistan during his upcoming visit to India.
Indian reaction has been to reiterate its policy that
New Delhi is committed to a bilateral settlement of
the dispute. Foreign Ministry spokesman R.S. Jassal
says there is no role for third party mediation in the
dispute
between India and its neighbor over Kashmir.
Political analysts say New Delhi is anxious to play
down the issues of Kashmir and nuclear non-
proliferation during President Clinton's visit.
Independent political analyst Brahma Chellaney:
///Inseret Chellaney act///
The focus of Indian diplomacy is to de-emphasize the
two traditional issues that have bedevilled US-Indian
relations - one is Kashmir and the other is the
nuclear divide between the two countries. But in
recent weeks statements
by US officials are re-emphasizing both Kashmir and
nuclear proliferation. The Indians are sending out a
very clear message that while President Clinton is
welcome to visit New Delhi, he is not welcome to be a
mediator or a peacebroker on Kashmir.
///end Chellaney act///
Indian officials are hoping that the visit of the
American President will focus on a new and closer
relationship between the two countries, and offer
an opportunity to forge a new partnership between the
world's two largest democracies.
Relations between India and the United States were
frosty during the Cold War years -- but they have been
moving in a positive direction since then. There have
been growing contacts between the two nations,
especially in business. New Delhi is hoping President
Clinton's visit - the first by a U.S. President in 22
years -- will provide new momentum to the
relationship,
and will not be clouded by issues such as Kashmir.
(signed)
NEB/AP/PLM
13-Feb-2000 07:46 AM EDT (13-Feb-2000 1246 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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