The Hindu : National : `PM looking forward to Bush visit'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 10, 2004

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National

`PM looking forward to Bush visit'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 9. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, is looking forward to a visit by the United States President, George W. Bush, to New Delhi in 2005, a press release from the Prime Minister's Office said following Dr. Singh's meeting with the visiting U.S. Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. Dr. Singh welcomed the peaceful conduct of elections in Afghanistan and expressed the hope that polls would be conducted in Iraq also.

"Dr. Singh also agreed with Mr. Rumsfeld that a return to democracy in Iraq and the strengthening of Iraq's secular credentials would be in the interests of the people of Iraq. Dr. Singh said India would help in the reconstruction of a secular and democratic Iraq," the statement said.

Dr. Singh reiterated his commitment to building peace, security and stability in South Asia and to India's willingness to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan as long as Islamabad remained committed to its January 6 assurance to check cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The External Affairs Ministry spokesman stated that Mr. Rumsfeld shared his assessment of the situation in Iraq and expressed optimism that the holding of elections would lead to an improvement in conditions there. "From our side, our stakes in the Gulf region and traditional friendship for the people of Iraq were highlighted."

In a related development, defence officials referred to Mr. Rumsfeld as saying that all countries must help with elections in Iraq. They also said it was conveyed to the Defence Secretary that India may have to respond to the supply of sophisticated aircraft and weapons systems by the U.S. to India.

Mr. Rumsfeld was told that the supply of P-3C surveillance aircraft would be of no great help in nabbing Al-Qaeda terrorists in Pakistan. Referring to possible defence purchases from the U.S., the Indian side stressed that they wanted to be both reliable and competitive.

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