Modalities on Indo-U.S. S&T forum under way: Joshi

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JUNE 9. Modalities for constituting an Indo-U.S. bilateral forum on science and technology are being worked out, says the Minister for Science and Technology and Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi.

Dr. Joshi, who is in the United States for the United Nations Conference on Women Empowerment, Beijing Plus Five, has had a number of meetings, both with senior administration officials and with high ranking members of the Congress in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

An agreement to set up the bilateral forum was signed during Mr Bill Clinton's visit to India. It is seen as an instrument for increased cooperation. At a meeting with the media yesterday, Dr. Joshi said the forum would have seven directors from each side and the names would be finalised soon. Identification of areas of mutual benefit would follow. India and the U.S. would be ``equal partners'' in terms of funding. Expanding bilateral cooperation was meant to benefit not only India and the U.S. but also most parts of the world where there was need for better health care, nutrition and education, said Dr. Joshi.

The Minister discussed with the Secretary of Education collaboration in higher education and technical education. He also addressed a meeting at the Inter-Cultural Centre at Georgetown University. Dr. Joshi met representatives of Christians and Ahmadya Muslims.

According to the Minister, he emphasised India's commitment to secularism as also protection of the Minorities.

Dr. Joshi did not wish to be drawn into any big discussion on a news report which spoke of Pakistan having a superior nuclear and missile programme.

He would only say Indian capabilities were quite sufficient. On the status of relations with Pakistan and the prospect of a war breaking out, Dr. Joshi said relations with Islamabad were ``well known''; that India did not believe in war; and throughout its history, India had not gone to war.

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Section  : International
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