We are with the U.S. in every step of the way: PM

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, NOV. 9. The meetings of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, on Capitol Hill today were very friendly and ``full of warmth'' that was reflective of bilateral relations not only in the immediate perspective but also for the long term, the Minister for External Affairs, Mr. Jaswant Singh said.

Mr. Vajpayee spent the whole morning on Capitol Hill meeting key members of the Senate and the House of Representatives either individually or in Committees of the Senate and the House. He also met the Speaker of the House, Mr. Dennis Hastert, and the Minority Leader, Mr. Richard Gephardt.

For his part the general consensus is that Mr.Vajpayee spoke quite clearly and plainly on many issues, especially pertaining to Afghanistan and terrorism and on the kind of implications of this struggle. The Prime Minister also told the lawmakers that the struggle against terrorism should be a comprehensive one.

According to Mr. Jaswant Singh, there was the clear recognition on Capitol Hill that there is no acceptable distinction between good terrorism and bad terrorism or between acceptable terrorism and unacceptable terrorism. Mr. Singh argued that there was increasing recognition that the menace would have to be fought globally.

Mr. Vajpayee's luncheon address to Members of the Congressional Caucus on India was also well received. ``India has long known the horrors of terrorism. Since September 11, India has been with the U.S. every step of the way. Now it has joined the U.S. in this war against terrorism. It will be a difficult struggle. We will need all the friends we can get and India has demonstrated that it will be a key ally in this war,'' the Co- Chair of the Caucus, Mr. Ed Royce, said in a statement.

The House on Thursday also passed a resolution under unanimous consent welcoming the Prime Minister to the U.S. and commending India for its support in the fight against terrorism.

Mr.Vajpayee's visit to Capitol Hill and his discussions with key lawmakers have to be seen in the context of the changed environment even within Congress towards Pakistan, now seen as a key ally in the ``coalition'' against Afghanistan and terrorism. But Indian officials and diplomats have maintained that it had not impacted India in any way.

By and large, Congress has fully sided with the administration on anything that has to do with the efforts to fight terror, domestic and international; and has been quite supportive of the alliance partners that the administration has taken on board. The call to ``stand by'' Pakistan in this hour for its backing of the U.S. aside Congress is putting together an economic assistance package to Islamabad in the neighbourhood of $ 700 million.

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Section  : International
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