International
Powell calls up Jaswant
By C. Raja Mohan
KATMANDU, JAN. 5. The U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, had a telephonic conversation with the External Affairs Minister, Jaswant Singh, this evening. The two leaders, according to sources, discussed the latest developments on the diplomatic front on the border situation.
The U.S. is deeply concerned about the current state of military tensions between India and Pakistan and has been urging both sides to take steps to de-escalate the situation.
Earlier, India reacted sharply against the reported plans of Mr. Powell to send a special envoy to the subcontinent to defuse the tensions between India and Pakistan. Asked to comment of the news reports from Washington, Mr. Jaswant Singh said he is not aware of any such plans.
Talking to reporters here, Mr. Singh said ``I have not heard of a special or ordinary envoy'' being appointed. He also wondered if the U.S. finds that its ambassadors in New Delhi and Islamabad are not effective.
Sources here said that in his conversation with Mr. Singh, Mr. Powell made no reference to the idea of appointing a special envoy to the subcontinent.
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