NEW DELHI, 15 March 2004 — US Secretary of State Colin Powell begins a South Asia tour today with a two-day visit to New Delhi. His talks with Indian leaders are expected to focus on the two countries’ strategic partnership, progress in Indo-Pakistani relations, non-proliferation and the fight against terrorism.
“It’s a full agenda of discussions with India, a full agenda of discussions with Pakistan, starting with bilateral relations and going on to both regional and more local concerns,” US officials said ahead of Powell’s visit.
Progress in India-Pakistan ties is likely to figure prominently during Powell’s discussions with Indian leaders. Comments made by Powell during an India Today teleconference suggest the US welcomes the thaw on the subcontinent. Powell praised the “farsighted steps” taken by India and Pakistan to peacefully resolve their disputes.
“Prime Minister Vajpayee and President Musharraf have given fresh hope to the citizens of both countries,” Powell said. “Two years ago, India and Pakistan were spiraling toward conflict. Now, they are shaping a composite dialogue and expanding bilateral trade and people-to-people ties.”
“In the coming months, as India and Pakistan work to resolve their differences, the US will remain a steadfast friend and supporter of the peacemakers on both sides, and we will continue to build strong bilateral ties with each country in its own right,” he added.
Powell’s visit follows a meeting in Washington between Indian Chief of the Army Staff Gen. N.C. Vij and Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, which Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld also attended.
Powell could also ask India to reconsider sending troops to Iraq after the parliamentary elections.
US concerns about nuclear proliferation may also surface, given the recent scandal surrounding the leak of nuclear technology from Pakistan.
Coming on the eve of Indian elections, the visit could signify US support for the Vajpayee government. But US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher denied this. “I think in a democracy there is always some kind of politics or elections going on. We’re not going out to take a side in the elections. We’re going out to discuss important matters and build on the cooperation we’ve been able to establish in recent years with the Indian government.”
