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Clinton to Gujral: US does not want to interfere in India's problems

C K Arora and Dhirendra Bisht in New York

President Bill Clinton has sought to remove India's apprehensions by declaring that the United States has no intention to interfere in its problems with Pakistan.

The assurance came at a 45-minute meeting with Prime Minister I K Gujral in New York.

Avoiding any direct mention of Kashmir, the president preferred to refer to the 50-year-old dispute as India's problem with Pakistan. The talks, however, did not include India's candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

President Clinton explained, ''We are very careful not to interfere in any way with the issues you have with Pakistan.'' He said the US extended full support to the recently resumed India-Pakistan dialogue and believed it would ultimately lead to a solution.

He expressed his appreciation of the Gujral Doctrine which aimed at improving India's relations with its neighbours.

US officials, at a press briefing on the summit, stated that Clinton commended Gujral for his policy towards other nations in the region.

The discussion also featured the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, CTBT, with the intention of exploring the possibilities of arriving at a common agenda on disarmament. Gujral accepted Clinton's offer for greater co-operation between the two countries on the issue of disarmament.

The prime minister, on his part, explained India's stance on CTBT and other issues related to disarmament. ''I would be pleased to engage with you on these issues,'' Gujral said on global security and peace.

Acknowledging their differences on disarmament, Clinton said, "But we want to have full relations with India, across the board, and on the issue of disarmament.''

A senior state department official stated that discussion on the issues would continue in the months ahead, especially during the president's proposed visit to the region early next year.

In response to a specific query on whether the Kashmir issue was discussed, the state department official revealed that the two leaders were aware of the sensitive nature of the subject. He, however added that everyone understood the issues that existed between the two countries.

The official further described the discussion between the two leaders as ''very cordial, warm and thoughtful.''. He stated that the president and prime minister agreed to maintain their engagement on a variety of issues.

At the outset, Gujral clarified that India had been trying to sort out its problems with Pakistan. He added that though it would take time, the United Front government had the will and capability to solve them.

Official sources revealed that India's candidature for a permanent seat in the reformed UN Security Council did not figure at the summit.

The official further stated that India's position on the issue was very well known to the Clinton administration. The issue, however, would be discussed at several levels between the two countries during the session of the UN General Assembly.

The two leaders also exchanged views on strengthening ties, especially in economic and trade relations. The US is India's largest trade partner and tops the list of foreign investors in the country. The leaders agreed on the great potential for closer economic ties between the two countries which should be realised.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who was present at the meeting, explained the steps India had taken to attract more investment in spheres like power and infrastructure.

Gujral was also assisted by Foreign Secretary K Raghunath, his Principal Secretary N N Vohra and India's Ambassador to the US Naresh Chandra.

President Clinton's team consisted of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering and Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Karl Inderfurth.

Before his meeting with Gujral, Clinton met Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief. Kashmir featured as a major issue during the discussion.

The CTBT, however, did not figure in the Clinton- Sharief discussion as Pakistan has supported the pact at the United Nations.

Earlier, the prime minister also held bilateral discussions with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and the foreign ministers of China, France, Iran and Russia.

Official sources said the supply of tanks from Ukraine to Pakistan was among the issues discussed with the Ukrainian president.

The prime minister's talks with Chinese Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen were described as ''very substantive.'' Qian said India and Pakistan should sort their bilateral problems, including Kashmir mutually.

The prime minister, due to visit France next month, discussed India's case for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine.

Meanwhile, speaking at a dinner hosted by him for members of the India Caucus and selected CEOs, the prime minister said India and the United States were far closer today than before.

Among those who attended the dinner were Congressmen Frank Pallone, who was part of the US delegation that attended Mother Teresa's funeral in Calcutta recently. Others present were James Mcdermott, Gary Ackerman and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.

UNI

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