Terrorist list: U.S. aware of India's anger

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, OCT. 10. The United States, in the last several years, has been walking a very thin line while describing terrorist outfits responsible for the violence in Jammu and Kashmir and the role of Pakistan in this. For instance, on the Jaish-e-Mohammad, there is the acknowledgement that it receives support from other groups such as the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, something that the Pakistan Government has not discouraged.

But the Bush administration has come under pressure from India to take full account of the goings-on in Jammu and Kashmir, the role of the terror networks there and the Pakistani connection. What has riled India is that a country which it sees as the ``epicentre'' of terrorism has been chosen by the Bush administration to play a lead role in the campaign against the menace.

Officials here understand New Delhi's disappointment and are taking steps to mollify the outright anger in India. In fact, a separate, expanded White House terrorism list is expected this week and it remains to be seen if any Jammu and Kashmir- based outfit will figure in it.

On the coming visit of the U.S. Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell, to Pakistan and India, the State Department spokesman, Mr. Richard Boucher, argued that the trip was not about the U.S. seeing for itself a larger role as a mediator between the countries.

He referred to the telephone conversation between the leaders of India and Pakistan, saying that Washington supported their efforts to resolve the root causes of tension in the region and to try to reduce tensions. ``...This trip is about relationships, our relationship with India, our relationship with Pakistan, our cooperation with India, our cooperation with Pakistan against terrorism.''

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Section  : International
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