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By Sridhar Krishnaswami
WASHINGTON, MARCH 6 . In formally announcing the visit of the United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell, to South Asia on March 14, the State Department has made it known that while the "important forward movement" made by India and Pakistan will figure in the discussions this will by no means overshadow bilateral issues. "... it's important to recognise, I think, the important forward movement that both countries have made in addressing issues between them. So that will definitely... figure on the agenda of our discussions in both India and Pakistan, but it will, by no means, overshadow the other very, very important bilateral issues that we have with each one separately," the Deputy Spokesman, Adam Ereli, said at the regular briefing. Asked if there was the possibility of a trilateral meeting with representatives from New Delhi and Islamabad and Mr. Powell, the spokesman replied: "I don't foresee that, no." The State Department in a statement said Gen. Powell would meet senior officials and political leaders in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan to discuss bilateral and security measures, including regional issues. "In India, he will discuss the next steps and beyond in our strategic relationship. In Pakistan he will cover a wide range of issues with our ally and partner in the Global War on Terror. In Afghanistan he will focus on the consolidation of economic and political reconstruction and look ahead to the International Conference on Afghanistan in Berlin," the statement said. "The visit is the latest in a series of consultations between South Asian leaders and the United States. The South Asian region is vital to American interests," it added. On the issue of the strategic partnership with India, the spokesman was asked if there were going to be any further announcements over and beyond what was said in January about the "glidepath." "I think what we will be focussing here is... further discussion of that as well as working together to strengthen not only the global economy but to expand trade between our two countries. And, obviously, the strategic partnership has an important role in that," Mr. Ereli said. As far as the visit to Pakistan, the spokesman stressed that there will be a review of what has been accomplished thus far as it pertains to the developments involving the nuclear scientist, A.Q. Khan, but once again Washington has made it clear that its understanding was that the pardon of Mr. Khan was only conditional and that investigations are continuing. ``I think we've made it clear that it's our understanding that it's a conditional pardon, that investigation is continuing and that strong measures have been put in place to prevent it from recurring," Mr. Ereli said. Recently, the Secretary of State said that the United States had learnt a lot more about Mr. Khan's network and Pakistan had given "additional information" as a result of the investigations.
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