|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 14 January 2004 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
US, India seek deeper defense ties after peace move WASHINGTON, Tuesday (Reuters) The United States and India will step up talks on missile defense and cooperation on civilian nuclear energy, the Bush administration said following the recent lessening of tension between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. "The expanded cooperation launched today is an important milestone in transforming the relationship between the United States and India," U.S. President George W. Bush said in a written statement released during his visit to Mexico. "We are working together to promote global peace and prosperity. We are partners in the war on terrorism and we are partners in controlling the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them," Bush said. In what was described as a major breakthrough, India and Pakistan last week agreed to open formal talks on settling their dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir. The two countries came to the brink of a fourth war over the region two years ago. The United States wants to strengthen its relations with both India and Pakistan but has to find a delicate balance to avoid spooking one side as it improves cooperation with the other. A senior Bush administration official denied Monday's agreement was a "reward" for India and said there was no link between the announcement and the peace moves. The statement was made on the same day Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said he would seek an early general election by April. India chose the day for the announcement, the Bush administration official said. "This will clearly be helpful with India but will be very disturbing to Pakistan," said Michael Krepon of the The Henry L. Stimson Center think tank, noting Islamabad has flagged U.S.-India missile defense cooperation as a major concern. "Pakistan will now be asking, 'What's in it for us?'" Krepon added. The administration official said the United States was "offering similar dialogue" to Pakistan. Bush also said India and the United States would step up contacts on civilian space programs and trade in high technology. The initiatives expand on a strategic partnership with India outlined in November 2001, and aim in part to combat the spread of unconventional weapons, he said. "It (the expanded cooperation) will include expanded engagement on nuclear regulatory and safety issues and missile defense, ways to enhance cooperation in peaceful uses of space technology, and steps to create the appropriate environment for successful high technology commerce," Bush said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
