Indo-US talks begin

NEW DELHI, Nov 9 (PTI) — Experts from India and the USA today began two days of preliminary talks to explore various export-control regimes to check nuclear proliferation.

Officials said that the talks, which would be mainly exploratory in nature, were part of the ongoing dialogue on nuclear issues between Delhi and Washington.

The talks, they said, were aimed at finding a common position on the export controls.

The meeting assumes significance as it comes close on the heels of US President Bill Clinton’s announcement of waiver of some of the sanctions imposed on India soon after the Pokhran tests in May this year.

It also comes a fortnight ahead of the next round of crucial talks on the nuclear and non-proliferation issues, including the comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT) between Prime Minister’s special envoy Jaswant Singh and US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott.

The team of the US experts, led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State John Barker, includes representatives from the Commerce, Customs, Energy, Defence and Foreign Ministries. The Indian team comprises top officials from the External Affairs Ministry and other departments.

The US team will fly to Islamabad at the end of its two-day parleys as the USA put pressure on Pakistan to reach an economic stabilisation accord with the International Monetary Fund before Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visits the USA next month.

Notification issued
WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (UNI) — US President Bill Clinton issued a notification today formally easing sanctions against India and Pakistan in response to "positive steps’’ the two countries had taken to address USA’s non-proliferation concerns following their nuclear tests in May.