M A I N   N E W S

USA to lift curbs: paper
Bush likely to visit India

Washington, June 16
The USA has decided to lift the sanctions imposed on India and strengthen its military and economic relationship with New Delhi, a US daily has said, quoting top White House officials. “The date for the sanctions to be lifted is still to be decided, but the move will take place before the end of this year,” the Boston Globe said.

The US administration imposed sanctions on India after the latter conducted nuclear tests in May, 1998.

The daily also mentioned about speculations that some of the sanctions against Pakistan would be lifted.

Mr George W.Bush can lift the sanctions against India by issuing presidential waivers authorised by the US Congress but must consult the members before doing so, an official said.

Mr Richard Armitage, US Deputy Secretary of State, in an interview last week, had pointing out that the USA was still concerned about India and Pakistan having nuclear weapons.

“The best way to deal with the problem is to try to develop relationships in South Asia,” Mr Armitage had said. He had told a delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry last week that sanctions were a thing of the past and that both countries were natural allies.

The Bush administration is also debating whether to lift sanctions on India and Pakistan simultaneously, according to a White House official.

President Bush was likely to visit India early next year, he said adding, that the USA wanted to include India in its strategic calculus”.

Many US analysts and diplomats feel that Washington’s move towards lifting of the sanctions is really aimed at containing China which the Bush administration views as a potential adversary.

The officials maintain that Mr Bush sees India as an increasingly important player in Asia because of its high-tech sector and growing economy.

With the lifting of the sanctions, the USA could sell military equipments to India and also export dual use items such as advanced computers that have both civilian and military applications, the official said adding, that it would also help in the resumption of US foreign aid. UNI