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Vajpayee calls for 'more cooperative' Indo-US partnership

T V Parasuram in Washington

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday proposed "a more cooperative" Indo-US partnership as recent events would have a long-term and unpredictable consequences for international relations.

"Events of recent weeks will have a long-term and unpredictable consequences in international relations. I believe, however, that the momentum of our relationship will sustain itself through these difficult times for the world," Vajpayee told the 130-member Congressional India Caucus -- the largest such body in Congress to promote close Indo-US ties.

"Last year, I said in Washington that India and the United States were natural allies. As the contours of the long-term changes in the world take shape, new challenges that will emerge will draw our two countries into a more cooperative partnership.

"I have no doubt that our partnership, grounded in the pluralist and democratic temper of our peoples, will continue to enjoy broad political support in both countries," the prime minister said.

The Caucus, of which the two co-chairmen are Congressmen Jim McDermott and Ed Royce, hosted a lunch in Vajpayee's honour. The India Caucus, said Vajpayee, is a great tribute to the strong democratic traditions of the two countries.

"As friends of India," said Vajpayee, "you would be aware of our outrage at the events of September 11 followed by terror caused by anthrax. To you, in particular, I would like to convey our concern and solidarity of the Indian people.

"Our response was not motivated by tactical or foreign policy considerations. It was spontaneous. It emanated from our fellow-feeling for you and from the pain of our own experience with terrorism.

"I also wish to thank you for reaching out to reassure the Indian-American community that terrorists will not succeed in destroying America's rich tradition of pluralism, tolerance and accommodation," he said.

"In recent years, your vision has helped open new avenues of India-US cooperation and reinforced mutual trust and confidence between the two countries," the prime minister said.

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