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Wisner for fresh Indo-Pak. dialogue

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI April 18. The former U.S. Ambassador to India, Frank G. Wisner, today suggested opening up of a new diplomatic dialogue with Islamabad to end the current impasse on cross-border terrorism and enhance trade ties with Washington. ``A fresh diplomatic strategy to contain border terrorism is needed to help further the Indo-U.S. economic ties and I want India to correct the economic imbalance prevailing in Asia,'' Mr. Wisner said delivering the Abraham Lincoln Memorial lecture on `Reflections on America and the world after September 11'.

``The need of the hour is to contain the Army concentration on the Indo-Pak. border and the resultant tension between the two countries,'' Mr. Wisner said adding that it was up to the two Governments to bring about this new platform of negotiations.

Describing the recent terrorist attack on Indian Parliament as a shocking attack on democracy, Mr. Wisner said it was essential to fight terrorism in all forms.

Tracing the growth of Indo-U.S. ties from the visit of the former American President, Bill Clinton, and the subsequent visits of senior U.S. officials, including the Secretary of State, Colin Powell, Mr. Wisner felt that Indo-U.S. economic co-operation should not be limited and wanted the large number of Americans of Indian origin to extend a helping hand to build strong Indo-U.S. economic ties.

Explaining that it was the biggest challenge for both the U.S. and India to combat terrorism and also for those in Afghanistan, West Asia, Israel and Palestine, Mr. Wisner said the role of international coalition was significant to address such serious problems.

Commending the role played by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce for building a positive bridge between the two countries, Mr. Wisner, who is also the Chairman of the U.S.-India Business Council, pleaded for strengthening the development of Indo-U.S. trade ties.

Later, during an interactive session, Mr. Wisner said there was scope for more synergy between India and America in the specialised areas of science and technology and attracting U.S. investments in bio-technology.

While agreeing that for improving economic ties, movement of technology professionals between the two countries was essential, he said the new U.S. visa regulations and enhanced security measures could affect this.

The Abraham Lincoln Memorial Lecture was organised jointly by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Tamil Nadu branch, American Chamber of Commerce in India, Tamil Nadu chapter, and the U.S. Consulate-General, Chennai. The Chairman, AmCham, Tamil Nadu chapter, Brian L. Black, explained the significance of the lecture.

The Chairman, IACC, State branch, Arun Jain, national president, IACC, R. Veeramani, and the Consul-General, U.S. Consulate, Chennai, Bernard J. Alter, were among those who spoke on the steps initiated to foster Indo-U.S. friendship.

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