The Hindu : National : ``U.S. aware of India's concerns''

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

National

National

``U.S. aware of India's concerns''

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 15. The United States was well aware of India's concerns about possible sale of military hardware to Pakistan, the External Affairs Ministry spokesman said at a press briefing today.

In comments that came hours before the arrival of the U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, this evening, the spokesman said that this was the first visit of a Cabinet-level Minister from the United States in the second term of George W. Bush.

"This is Dr. Rice's first visit to India and, in fact, to South Asia. India, as you know, is the first stop on the tour. She has been taking a very close interest in the bilateral relationship between India and the United States during the first term of President Bush and has been also focusing on cooperation in defence and economic ties, as well as in the NSSP [Next Steps in Strategic Partnership] process."

According to the spokesman, there had been "significant steps" in the bilateral relationship leading up to this visit. "These include cooperation in the tsunami response between India and the U.S. That was a big boost to our military-to-military cooperation and working relationship with the U.S. forces ... "

Economic cooperation

On the economic side too there had been progress, he said. "The positive movement is also indicated by the progress in the open skies agreement in civil aviation. The economic dialogue which is headed on the Indian side by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission will give further momentum to this process."

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