Talks with Powell may ease situation in J&K

By Atul Aneja

NEW DELHI, OCT. 15. In preparing for the visit of the U.S. Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell, India is looking forward to talks which would help expand the bilateral agenda, result in a less turbulent environment in Jammu and Kashmir and push its profile in Afghanistan.

The External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, will host a dinner for Gen. Powell, who arrives here on Tuesday evening. Talks with the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani and the National Security Adviser, Mr. Brajesh Mishra are slated for Wednesday. Gen. Powell and the Home Minister will sign an agreement on assistance in criminal matters.

In defining its ``talking points'', India is clear that the immediate purpose of Gen. Powell's visit is to ensure the unity of the U.S.-led coalition against terrorism, highly placed sources in the Government said. That means the U.S. would oppose any move, which in its view will counter this objective, such as military tension between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

Sharing the U.S. perception that the focus of the campaign is, as of now on Afghanistan, India is expected to assure Gen. Powell that it has no intention to exacerbate tensions in the border State. But while India would continue to exercise restraint, Pakistan on its part will also have to rein in terrorists operating in India. ``The situation in Jammu and Kashmir will be addressed. We will underscore that terrorism has to be addressed in all forms and in a comprehensive manner'', the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs in her daily briefing observed.

On Afghanistan, India is likely to convey to Gen. Powell that it has a long-term stake in its northern neighbour and has made up its mind to get prominently involved in the reconstruction drive of the war-torn nation. India, has already pledged nearly $100 millions of aid and involvement in re- building Afghanistan's war-ravaged infrastructure.

From India's point of view, it would now like to be recognised as a player in Afghanistan by being included as a prominent member of a likely new U.N.-led multilateral initiative for facilitating Kabul's post-Taliban political and economic transition.

Gen. Colin Powell's visit is likely to reinforce the view that India-U.S. ties should not be viewed through the prism of Pakistan. India and the U.S. enjoy a ``non-hyphenated relation'', the spokesperson said. Aware that the trajectory of Washington's ties with New Delhi and Islamabad is divergent, both sides are expected to spend considerable time on ways to deepen bilateral ties.

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Section  : National
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