news details |
|
|
| Terror groups having designs against India in Pak: US | | |
Virtually endorsing New Delhi's contention that cross-border terrorism continues, the US said terror groups having "designs" against India still have presence in Pakistan and rubbished any attempt to link the scourge with non-resolution of Kashmir issue.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher said, however, that his country would like to see progress on Kashmir issue resolution through dialogue.
During his talks with officials here, the Indian side is understood to have cited evidence to support its contention that terror continues to be exported from Pakistan.
Boucher, who met Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and held extensive discussions on terrorism and civil nuclear deal with External Affairs Ministry Joint Secretary (Americas) S Jai Shanker, also sought to allay concerns in India with regard to certain aspects of the civil nuclear deal.
He expressed confidence that the final legislation will reflect the commitments made by President George W Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Implementation of the deal is on the "right track" and "moving swiftly" but a lot of "hard work" is left to be done, he said at an interaction with MPs and business leaders.
Visiting India about a month after the deadly Mumbai blasts, Boucher said "We all know there is terrorism in the (South Asian) region. Some of terrorism is in Pakistan. Some of the (terror) groups that have designs against India still have pieces in Pakistan."
Boucher, who had earlier said that India had no evidence to accuse anybody for the Mumbai blasts, said "things have advanced" since he made such remarks weeks ago.
To a question about a clause in the Congressional bills providing for annual review of India's nuclear programme, Boucher said it was as per America's domestic law which requires reporting by the Administration.
He said some amendments get added and some get dropped but no conclusions should be drawn till the final legislation is ready. "Let us wait till final legislation is prepared."
The two bills, after being passed by respective Houses of Congress, will be reconciled before a final text is ready.
The US official expressed confidence that the final bill will "reflect commitments" made by Bush and Singh.
"There is lot of hard work left, but we will get there as promised by the President and the Prime Minister," he said, pointing out that the Bush administration was working and will keep working with the Congress.
Pointing out that the US House of Representatives had already passed the legislation on the agreement with overwhelming majority, he said the Senate was expected to take up the legislation next month.
He said negotiations between India and the US on a bilateral civil nuclear agreement are also moving as were the discussions with IAEA and Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Later during an interaction with students of various educational institutions, Boucher disagreed that the nuclear deal will affect Indo-Pak relations.
"It won't affect Indo-Pak relations. It is a civilian nuclear deal. There are no military components. We don't like the idea of nuclear weapons," he said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
