The Hindu : Front Page : U.S. for involving India in global issues

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Thursday, Apr 09, 2009
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U.S. for involving India in global issues

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: Contrary to the apprehensions in a section of the Indian establishment, Kashmir and resumption of India-Pakistan dialogue did not figure in the talks with U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen here on Wednesday.

"Let me just be clear. The answer is in one word. No. We did not come here to ask the Indians to do anything. We came here to inform about our trips [to Afghanistan and Pakistan] as we always do and to get their views. We did not come here with any requests," Mr. Holbrooke told newspersons. after meeting Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan.

While the Clinton and Bush administrations focussed on improving bilateral ties with India, the present one wanted to incorporate the "missing factor'' of involving India in global and strategic issues.

"Missing factor"

"In the entire process, we never involved India in global and strategic issues. This was the missing factor. We came to accelerate that. There was dialogue [on regional issues], but no coordination. So we move to the next step. Whenever the Indian government is willing, it will be welcome in Washington at all levels."

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