Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=05/11/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= INDIA/U-S MISSILE (L-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-275927

BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: UPDATES intro of 2-275916 ///

INTRO: Indian officials have welcomed Washington's plans for a new international security system, although they have not specifically endorsed American proposals to build a missile defense shield. The comments came

after Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage held consultations with Indian leaders on U-S proposals for an anti-missile system. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, India also said the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972 should not be unilaterally rejected.

TEXT: After meeting India's foreign minister, Jaswant Singh, Friday, Deputy Secretary of State Armitage said his consultations were the beginning of a new relationship between India and the United States.

Mr. Singh, who also holds the defense portfolio said "we are endeavoring to work out together a totally new security regime for the entire globle."

Mr. Armitage is also holding discussions with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

India caused some surprise earlier this month when it gave an enthusiastic welcome to key elements of President Bush's plans for a missile defense system.

New Delhi said it was happy about U-S plans for a unilateral reduction in nuclear forces, and what it called moving away from "hair-trigger alerts."

India, however, stopped short of directly mentioning U-S plans for building an anti-missile shield, instead calling the American proposals an inevitable transition from the theory of "multually assured destruction" to a more cooperative defense.

India's quick endorsement of the U-S plans drew some criticism at home. But many Indian defense analysts welcomed the new position, saying it reflects a new realism in New Delhi. They say Mr. Armitage's visit could give momentum to the development of a strategic partnership between the United States and India.

Indian officials are particularly happy that New Delhi has been included in discussions that U-S officials are holding with key allies in Europe and Asia on the anti-missile system.

Relations between India and the U-S warmed in the closing years of the Clinton administration despite New Delhi's 1998 nuclear tests.

Although U-S military sanctions are still in place against Delhi, the two countries are set to resume military cooperation later this month with a visit to India by the Chairman of the U-S Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Henry Shelton. (signed)

NEB/AP/PFH