U.S sanctions soon to go says Inderfurth.
Excerpts from The Indian Express.
WASHINGTON, Aug 30: US sanctions against India will be lifted ''as soon as possible,'' and this is linked to progress in the ongoing talks between the countries, a key American official said on Sunday.
In the first official insight into the ongoing dialogue between the two countries on nuclear and other matters, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Karl Inderfurth gave broad indications to a gathering of Indian-Americans that the talks are not only going well, but are designed to put Indo-US ties ''on the most sound and secure footing possible for the future.''
.................
In contrast to the overheated polemics and what some Indian officials said was an overbearing attitude that emerged from Washington following the test, Inderfurth returned to the theme of Indo-US reconciliation, saying ''ours is one of the great unfulfilled relationships of the world.''
''It is quite clear that the similarities between the United States and India are much more important than our differences. And yet, it is our differences that have been in the spotlight for much of the past few months. It is my hope that we will soon be able to overcome our current difficulties and resume the important work of building our vital relationship,'' he said.
..........
While not elaborating on the on-going dialogue because of the high stakes involved, Inderfurth said the US has a strong desire to re-establish the cooperative, broad-based relationship with India which it has envisioned before the events in May.
The official said President Clinton was and remains interested in traveling to the region, ''but will do so when circumstances permit his visit to look to the kind of relations we hope will characterise the 21st century, not the 20th.''
expressindia.com |
